At the young age of 17, Divya Deshmukh made history by becoming India’s latest International Master and the 12th female to achieve this title. She accomplished this feat with a round to spare at the Baku Open 2023, despite losing her penultimate round game against IM Aditya S Samant.
Divya’s last round result was deemed immaterial as it wouldn’t affect her norm chances. All she had to do was appear and play her final round game. Divya’s first IM-norm was scored at the Velammal-AICF International WGM Round Robin in February 2019, where she also scored her maiden WGM-norm at the same event. She scored her second IM-norm in October 2021 at the age of 15.
Dr Parinay Fuke, the president of the Maharashtra Chess Association (MCA), congratulated Divya and said, “Heartiest congratulations to Divya Deshmukh, who has achieved the distinction of becoming the 12th female to attain the title of International Master at the esteemed Baku Open 2013. Your spirited performance at this early age on the global stage has made us proud. Wishing you even more success in the future. Best wishes, Champion.”
