Susan Polgar, former Women's World Champion, praised Divya Deshmukh’s mental strength and relentless determination after the 19-year-old clinched the Women’s Chess World Cup in Georgia, defeating senior compatriot Koneru Humpy. Divya, entering as a dark horse, not only secured her spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament but also became India’s 88th Grandmaster and the fourth Indian woman to achieve the title. Polgar highlighted Divya’s composure under pressure and called this a golden age for Indian chess, urging the youngster to keep training hard. She also expressed confidence in Humpy’s continued excellence in the sport.
