Nineteen-year-old Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh received a grand reception at Nagpur airport on Wednesday after winning the Women’s World Cup title in Batumi, Georgia, where she defeated Indian veteran Koneru Humpy in a tie-breaker following two drawn classical games. The victory earned her the Grandmaster title, a spot in the Candidates tournament, and USD 50,000 in prize money.Deshmukh, who entered the tournament as an underdog aiming for a GM-norm, traveled from Batumi to Mumbai before reaching her hometown Nagpur, accompanied by her mother. Her relatives and fans gathered at the airport well in advance to welcome her.“I am feeling very happy that so many people have come to felicitate me, and chess is getting the recognition,” said Deshmukh upon her arrival.The young champion credited her success to her family and first coach Rahul Joshi, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 40. “My parents have played the biggest role in my career. Without them I would not have reached here. Credit to my family, my parents, my sister, and my first coach, Rahul Joshi sir. He always wanted me to become the Grandmaster, and this is for him,” she said.Expressing gratitude to her family members, she added, “My mother and father had a bigger role to play but definitely my whole family, my sister Arya Deshmukh, my grandmother, grandfather…I don’t think whatever I will say will be enough.”Deshmukh also acknowledged GM Abhijit Kunte’s influence on her success. “Abhijit sir is lucky for me. Wherever he has been with me, I have won the trophy,” she stated.Looking ahead, Deshmukh plans to take a brief break before competing in the Grand Swiss tournament in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, scheduled for September 2-16. “I will take some rest this month and will play Grand Swiss next month,” she confirmed.
