NAGPUR: City's chess queen Divya Deshmukh added yet another first in her journey. A last-minute inclusion for a debut in an elite field of top women players in the world took Divya to Kolkata and she surprised one and all who came her way to triumph.
"I did not at all expect to win this tournament. I am trying so hard not to cry," an emotional Divya said after the win.
Speaking with TOI Divya said, "Since I was a last-minute inclusion for this tournament, the preparations I did were game-by-game as I wasn't prepared at all for my first elite tournament. Actually, after coming back from Abu Dhabi, I was a bit tired and was trying to get back into my routine when I received an invitation to play in Kolkata. Since this was one of the best tournaments I decided to participate and played freely. It was a very hectic and exhausting tournament."
Divya Deshmukh after winning the title. (TOI Photo)
On her first meeting and winning against India's best Koneru Humpy, Divya said, "The finish got a bit tense in the end. Against Humpy akka I handled pressure well. I was lucky to find the critical move when I was 20 seconds less on clock. It seems like she was completely winning and then I tried something which I usually don't play, and luckily it worked for me."
