Divya Deshmukh has etched her name into Indian chess history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the final of the Women’s World Chess Championship. The 19-year-old prodigy defeated former world champion Tang Zhangji of China in a nail-biting semi-final, breaking new ground for Indian chess.
However, despite this monumental achievement, Divya isn’t celebrating just yet. Overcome with emotion after her historic win, she confessed that what she needs right now is rest and recovery. “I’ve been extremely stressed over the last few days. I haven’t slept properly. Right now, I just want to get some good sleep… and eat well too,” Divya shared, smiling through her exhaustion.
🎯 Focus on Recovery First, Strategy Later
With a few days still to go before the final match, Divya is deliberately keeping her focus away from the upcoming challenge. Her opponent in the final is yet to be determined, as Koneru Humpy and China’s top seed Li Tingji are set to battle it out in the other semi-final tiebreak.
When asked how it feels to reach the final, Divya remained humble. “Honestly, I don’t know what to say. I feel like I could have played better. At one point, I was confident of a win, but I made a few mistakes. Zhangji started playing really well, and it looked like the game might end in a draw. In the end, luck favored me.”
🌟 More Than Just a Final SpotDivya’s entry into the championship final also means she has qualified for the prestigious Candidates Tournament, a major milestone in any chess player’s career.
Overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from fans across the country, Divya expressed heartfelt gratitude. “Thank you so much for your support and love. That means everything to me right now.”
Until the final opponent is decided, Divya will take time to rest, recharge, and then prepare accordingly. For now, history can wait—sleep and samosas come first!