Nagpur, July 31: Nineteen-year-old chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh, who recently became the youngest-ever winner of the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup, stated on Thursday that she thrives on aggression and remains unaffected by pressure. Speaking to the media in Nagpur following her monumental victory, Divya said that her focus lies on her own expectations and goals, not external pressures.
On July 28, Divya made history in Batumi, Georgia, by defeating fellow Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy in a tiebreaker in the final, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament’s history. The victory not only earned her the prestigious title but also secured her the Grandmaster status.
As per agency report, Divya emphasized that adopting aggressive strategies comes naturally to her and that she finds comfort in entering tactical positions during games. When asked about frequent comparisons to former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, known for his calm demeanor and mental toughness, Divya acknowledged the similarity but explained that aggression has always been a core part of her style.
She further remarked that the key similarity between her and 18-year-old D Gukesh—who became the youngest World Chess Champion by defeating China’s Ding Liren last December—is their shared quality of fighting until the very end.
Divya’s determined approach and attacking gameplay continue to draw admiration as she cements her place among India’s top chess talents on the global stage.
