Divya Deshmukh, The New Champion of Tata Steel Chess India Rapid 2023
Ambar Bhattacharya, Takmaa News, Kolkata, 3rd Sept 2023 : Divya Deshmukh who replaced Vaishali R at the eleventh hour at the Tata Steel Chess India 2023 made the most of her opportunity. A dream event for the young girl from Nagpur as she wins one of the strongest events hosted in the country. She displayed immense calm and composure for last 3 days. Divya ended with 7 points closely followed by Ju Wenjun with 6.5 points.
Round 7
Sole leader, IM Divya Deshmukh drew her game against GM Anna Ushenina after 4 consecutive victories on the trot. GM Ju Wenjun narrowed in for the top spot with a win over GM Nino Batsiashvili. GM Koneru Humpy came back to winning ways after a second consecutive victory over WGM Savitha Shri B. IM Vantika Agrawal failed to convert winning chances in her game against IM PolinaShuvalova, having to settle for a draw. GM HarikaDronavalli split the point against GM Irina Krush after the players repeated moves in an equal position out of the middle game.
Round 8
An unexpected turn of events saw some changes in the leaderboard. Round 8 was dramatic with all games producing decisive results.
![](http://takmaaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG-20230902-WA0039-1024x682.jpg)
GM JuWenjun upped the ante at the business end of the tournament with consecutive victories, this time against WGM Savitha Shri. The top seed of the event won a pawn early in the game and kept her advantage throughout. Overnight leader, IM DivyaDeshmukh, suffered a loss at the hands of IM Polina Shuvalova. GM Koneru Humpy brought up her third consecutive victory with a thrilling king-hunt against GM Anna Ushenina. GM Nino Batsiashbili brought up her second victory of the tournament with a win over GM Irina Krush. GM HarikaDronavalli, after 6 consecutive draws, notched up her first win of the event against IM Vantika Agrawal.
![](http://takmaaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/IMG-20230902-WA0038-1024x682.jpg)
Round 9
IM Divya Deshmukh displayed incredible quality shrugging away the previous round defeat to score one of the biggest victories of her career against Indian No. 1 Koneru Humpy. The Asian Champion hardly set a foot wrong in her beautifully crafted. The highlight was the incredible combination in the endgame where Deshmukh sacrificed her rook to create a passed pawn that eventually decided the game.
The icing on the cake for Deshmukh was the result in GM Ju Wenjun’s game against GM Anna Ushenina which ended in a draw. This meant that Deshmukh clinched the rapid section of the women’s championship half a point ahead of the World Champion.
IM Vantika Agrawal scored a victory over GM Nino Batsiashvili. WGM Savitha Shri also ended the tournament on a high with a victory over GM Irina Krush with the black pieces. GM Harika Dronavalli split the point with IM Polina Shuvalova.