Divya Deshmukh, a Nagpur woman grand-master (WGM), successfully gained her title, making history once more. The adolescent from Orange City upset International Master (IM) Bhakti Kulkarni of Goa in the decisive round to win with 9.5 points out of a possible 11.
By defeating WIM Rucha Pujari of MAH, WGM Mary Ann Gomes of PSPB came in second with 9 points, and WGM Vantika Agrawal of DEL came in third (8.5/11) after defeating IM Nisha Mohota of PSPB.
Divya kept the record of every National Women’s champion since 2011 who has won the title at least twice in a row. Divya, who is 17 years old, played flawlessly throughout the competition’s 11 rounds.
The annual tournament was organized by the Chess Association Kolhapur under the aegis of the World Chess Federation, All India Chess Federation, Maharashtra Chess Association & Kolhapur District Chess Association at the Sanjay Ghodawat University, Kolhapur.
Sanjay Ghodawat University is a co-sponsor of the championship, with the MPL Sports Foundation serving as the event’s title sponsor. The event’s associate sponsors are Chitale Dairy, Firodia Group, Jain Irrigation, and H2e Systems Pune.
