"Like MS Dhoni": Ex-Coach Praises Divya Deshmukh's Composure After Chess World Cup Triumph

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Divya Deshmukh, India's 88th Grandmaster, has been praised for her composure in critical moments, akin to cricket legend MS Dhoni. Her former coach, Srinath Narayanan, highlighted her ability to excel under pressure.

At just 19, Divya clinched the FIDE Women's World Cup title in Batumi, Georgia, defeating Koneru Humpy, a seasoned player twice her age.

Humpy, at 38, has been a stalwart in Indian women's chess for over two decades. Her accolades include two World Rapid Championships and two Asian Games gold medals. She was also part of the Chess Olympiad gold-winning team. Divya's victory against such an accomplished opponent marked a significant achievement for Indian chess.

Divya's Journey and Achievements

Divya's journey to becoming a Grandmaster seemed unlikely at the tournament's start. However, she became the fourth woman from India to achieve this status. Her career is marked by numerous victories, including three gold medals at the Olympiad and multiple wins at the Asian Championship and World Junior Championship.

Srinath first noticed Divya's talent in 2016 when they met at the airport before heading to Turkey for the World U-16 Olympiad. He coached her until 2020 and recognised her potential early on. "She was incredibly talented," he said about their initial meeting.

Challenges and Triumphs

Despite a challenging phase between 2020 and 2022 due to the pandemic, Divya continued to shine. She took time off from tournaments to focus on her studies but remained confident in her abilities. Srinath believes she was already playing at a Grandmaster level before entering the Women's World Cup.

During the 2020 Online Olympiad, Divya played a crucial role in India's victory over China. Although a global internet outage halted the final against Russia, Divya had one of the most promising positions in that match.

The Road Ahead

Srinath sees a bright future for Divya in chess. He believes she has a strong chance of becoming the women's world champion or at least being on that path. Her confidence and skill make her a formidable competitor in any major tournament.

Divya's aggressive yet versatile playing style has evolved over time. She excels across different formats like Classical, Rapid, and Blitz chess. Her ability to perform well in high-pressure situations sets her apart from others.

Srinath recalls how Divya's talent shone during their first tournament together when she won an important game against Iran. This victory helped secure a silver medal for their team in Turkey.

As Divya continues to make strides in her career, she remains driven by challenges and consistently demonstrates her exceptional skills on the chessboard.

With inputs from PTI