Batumi, Georgia Witnessed Historical past as 19-LD Indian Chess Participant Divya Divya Deshmukh Seled a Monumental Victory. With a easy handshake, feelings overflowed -tears of pleasure streamed down faces, marking a second etched perpetually within the annals of Indian sports activities. This wasn’t only a private triumph; Divya turned the first-ever ladies’s world cup chess champion from India.
Her Journey from a Rookie to World Champion Had Many UPS and Downs, however one factor remained fixed by her facet – not a coach, not a fortunate allure, however a banana. Sure, you learn that proper. All through the Grueling Event, Her Silent Supporter was a Humble Banana, Witnessing Each Transfer, Each win, and each As soon as of Willpower.
𝑾𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏’𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑪𝒖𝒑 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒐𝒏♟ 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒐𝒏♟𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒎𝒑𝒊𝒐𝒏♟!
Divya deshmukh beCame the 4th Indian lady to earn the title of Grandmaster with Her Victory on the Fide Girls’s World Cup 2025.
Divya secured the title after her victory over fellow Indian #Humpykoneru within the… pic.twitter.com/ms6Myjuwtc
– All India radio information (@Airnewsalerts) July 28, 2025
The battle of the ages: rookie vs legend
Divya’s Last Opponant was no strange rival. Standing throughout the Board was Grandmaster Koneru Humpy – A Nationwide Icon, Twice Divya’s Age, and a Former World Speedy Champion. Their showdown has stretched over a number of video games, with ear earlier match ending in a draw. All of it got here all the way down to a Speedy Tie-Break-and Divya Had the Black Items, Historically Thought-about The Drawback.
Transfer after Transfer, The Recreation Hung in Stability, The Strain Mouting with Every Tick of the Clock. On the fortieth transfer, humpy faltered – an aggressive pawn push left her weak. Divya Seized the second. From that time on, the battle beCame a Blur of Institute and Pace, Each Gamers Grappling with Time and Stress.
Stress Climbed With Every Transfer, The Clock Ticking Down Like A Metronome of Strain. Then, on transfer 40, got here the crack within the Armor. Humpy, feeling the squeeze of time, made a mstep – 40.e4 adopted by 41.d5. Divya Responded With 42 … CXD5. The veteran gm weathered that second, however the recreation’s steadiness By no means absolutely returned.
When humpy performed 69.h7, it was a ultimate roll of the cube. However the place collapsed tune after. Simply Six Strikes Later, She Offred Her Resignation.
India Had a brand new Queen on the Board.
A star is born – and topped
For Divya, The Victory was greater than a title – it was a breakthrough. Coming into the event because the fifteenth seed, she had no grandmaster norms to her title. But, with this beautiful win, she not solely lifted the world cup but in addition earned her gm title – Changing into the 88th Grandmaster from India and solely the fourth Indian ladies to take action.
Not like Her Predcessors, She Didn Bollywood the Common Route of Amassing Three Norms. She made historical past in a single, magnificent stroke.
👏👏👏 Fide President Arkady Dvorkovich and President of the Georgian Chess Federation & Fide Particular Duties Director, Akaki Iashvili, Awarded 🇮🇳 Divya Deshmukh The Gold Medal and The Trophy of the FOROPHY OF THE FOMEN OF THE FOMEN ‘ 2025.#Fideworldcup pic.twitter.com/fdx9h8uver
– Worldwide Chess Federation (@Fide_ches) July 28, 2025
Because the applause rang out and chess boards had been packed away, divya sat nonetheless, taking all of it in. The enjoying corridor might have erupted – however one determine remained unmoved: the banana.
The Banana That Watched It All
It has been there all Alongside – Spherical after Spherical – At all times Current, By no means Eanen. Audiences seen. Commentators Speculated. Was it superstition? Was it technique?
When requested, Divya Responded With a Shrug. “I’mm going to eat it. I do not know what you are questioning about,” She mentioned with fun. However match after match, The Banana Remained Untouched.
Requested Once more, She smiled. “If i’mm consuming a banana, it means i am relaxed. My opponents are giving me that luxurious.”
For certain the fruit has nothing to do along with her efficiency however it’s a psychological factor which brieft a relaxed within the chaos of all these board wars. When requested if the banana was proving luck for her she straightening and mentioned ‘no’. This was just like the bottle placement ritual of nadal or sachin sporting the left pad first which could not change the outs of the sport however brieft a way of calm within the head.
This win of divya was not solely a mere championship, however an announcement that Indian gamers have come to dominate the sport in each facet the place it’s its personal or the speedy format.
Divya might not have taken a chew through the match, however after the sport ended she has a gold medal to style for the primary time however absolutely not for the final.