Divya starts new year with women’s national crown

 

 

WOMAN Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh of city started the year with aplomb as she went on to retain the National Women Chess Championship at the Sanjay Ghodawat University, Kolhapur.

The annual tournament was organised by Chess Association Kolhapur under the aegis of Maharashtra Chess Association, Kolhapur District Chess Association, All India Chess Federation and World Chess Federation.

Defending champion Divya collected 9.5 points from 11 rounds to emerge the champion.

The second seed player stunned top seed WGM Mary Ann Gomes and many others on her way to clinching the coveted title for the second year in a row.

In the 11th and final round, Divya needed a draw to win the title. However, the Nagpur girl stood on the podium in style defeating IM Bhakti Kulkarni of Goa with white pieces.

Since 2011, all new champions have won the crown at least twice in-a-row. Divya joined the elite club of WGM Mary Ann Gomes (2011-2013), IM Padmini Rout (2014-17) and Bhakti Kulkarni (2018-19) who won back to back titles.

Last year, Divya clinched the title defeating Soumya Swaminathan in the nine-round tournament at Bhubneshwar in Odisha. In the final round on Thursday, 17-year-old Divya was stretched by Bhakti Kulkarni but the Nagpur girl sealed the deal in 49 moves.

Divya remained undefeated in the 11-round competition winning eight boards and drawing three games.

Divya started her campaign with victory over State-mate Aditi Kayal in 43 moves. She then beat WFM Bhagyashree Patil of Maharashtra with black pieces in a 44-move battle and then drew with WFM Vishwa Shah.

Divya then won a marathon battle of 66 moves against WFM Nimmy AG of Kerala with black pieces. Delhi’s Vantika Agrawal forced her to split point in the fifth round.

However, Divya then recorded four straight victories against WGM Srija Seshadri (TN), WIM Aashna Makhija (Mah), WGM Mary (PSPB) and Sunyuktha CMN (TN) to stay in contention.

In the 10th round, WIM Isha Sharma played out a quick 30-move draw with Divya which kept the Nagpur lass in hunt for second straight crown. Needing a draw in the final round, Divya went on to beat Bhakti to emerge clear winner.

Mary Ann Gomes finished second with nine points while Vantika Agrawal ended third with 8.5 points.