FIDE Women’s World Cup in Georgia has suddenly become a must-watch for chess lovers in India. Two of India’s top women are competing for the top honours. It has become exciting as the tournament will have a winner from the country as both the finalists, Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh, are from India.
This tournament means a lot for India as the contest will give a huge impetus to women’s chess in India, which already has many players in the world top 10 in the men’s section.
For any board game enthusiast, this game in Batumi will be a fight between experience and youth. While Humpy is 38, full of experience, Divya is half the age of her opponent, who is bubbling with enthusiasm.
India’s second-ever GM after Viswanathan Anand, Dibyendu Barua is looking forward to the contest. “Both of them are in very good form, it is difficult to predict who will win. For me, if it is a straight fight, it is 55:45 in favour of Humpy, but if it goes to tie-break, then Divya will have an advantage. Since it is a fight for the final, the person with better stamina, nerve and concentration will win. What is heartening is that both the gold and silver will be with India,”
Chess Olympian Sandipan Chanda, who was Viswanathan Anand’s second and now works as trainer at his academy in Chennai, feels this is a very memorable time for Indian chess. “That our women are also world-beaters, this event proves that. The fact our women won their matches beating Chinese opponents, is very significant. More girls take up this sport seriously, it will mean more Indian dominance in world chess . My best wishes to both, said Indian Grandmaster.
Another Grandmaster Neelotpal Das too believes that this is a golden era for Indian chess. “Our girls Vaishali (Rameshbabu), Harika (Dronavalli), Humpy are consistently performing well internationally. That we will get a world champion had to happen soon. We have seen Chinese dominance all these years. This match is happening in Georgia, which has many top-ranking women players. Indian girls performing well there will definitely prove our importance,” said Das.
What brought about this change, Das feels, is: “Indian girls initially had the mental block that they cannot compete in open category or win. This ceiling is gone. Till a few times ago, girls were competing in women’s category only but not anymore. Competing with men has given them the courage.”
GM Barua feels this event proves that Indian girls are ready to dominate the world in the days to come. “Divya’s performance will motivate more girls in India to take up the support professionally,” rounds off Barua.