Published on April 18, 2020
By Paritosh Pramanik
HER father used to play chess as a hobby while her great grandfather (maternal) used to spend Saturdays challenging the great revolutionary Vinoba Bhave in the game of 64 square. Inculcating father’s hobby and grandfather’s ‘roots’, Nagpur’s Divya Deshmukh carved a niche for herself to become a Woman International Master in chess at a tender age of 14 years.
The yet-to-be 15 Divya has claimed many a title, dethroned several well-known figures in chess as she emerged Queen of the 64 squares at a very small age.
An “obedient” daughter of ophthalmologist Dr Jitendra and Dr Namrata Deshmukh, Divya, too, started playing chess as a hobby with her father and gradually developed intererst only to make it her passion.
“She has been a very obedient and hard-working kid. Her interest in chess generated slowly over a period of time. My husband used to play chess as a hobby. I knew the game because my grandfather used to play chess with Vinoba Bhave every Saturday. So it was not new to our family,” Dr Namrata told ‘The Hitavada’.
Divya’s growing interest in chess forced Deshmukhs to help her pursue her dream. The way she picked the nuances of game, the doctor couple were sure their daughter would make a name sooner than later in the brain game. But both never thought that their daughter would start winning titles at a very tender age. “We knew it is too early to assume anything. But she started playing well and also started winning trophies,” Dr Namrata proudly said.
Looking at her progress Deshmukhs started supporting her in every possible way. “We tried to do everything that was required to do. There were challenges and there will be more diffifult paths in future but we have to face it. Monetary challenge is the biggest one,” admitted Dr Namrata. Dr Jitendra is working as professor and head in Government Medical College at Gondia and gets very little time to spend with his daughter. But whenever he is at home, he makes it a point to spend time with the WIM daughter. “When he is at home he helps in everything. When on duty he is just a phone call away. He is the decision maker for us,” admitted Dr Namrata. Divya does call her father regularly and at times also does video call. “Thanks to video calling, little compensation is there. She always make a video call and talk to her father. She calls him anytime...talks to him about chess,” mentioned Dr Namrata.
When on tour Divya, who is an Under-14 Commonwealth Championships gold medalist (2019), makes a point to talk to her father before the start of
her round. “Many times just before the round starts Divya makes a call to her father. That makes her more confident,” claimed Dr Namrata. The little princess of Deshmukh family is passionate for chess. “Once she decided to play a tournament in high fever. We were reluctant but she did not budge. And she won the title. That was the proudest moment for all of us. She is a very hard nut to crack. Does not give up easily,” said Dr Namrata.
Dr Namrata gets concerned when Divya, who won the Under-12 World Cadets Chess title at Pocos de Caldas, Brazil in 2017, insists to play any tournament even if she is not well. “As I said earlier, she is very passionate for chess. Even half fit, she wants to participate in any tournament.”
Being a chess wizard, Divya, who won her first World title (U-10) at the World Youth Chess Championship in Durban in 2014, wants to live life fully.
“She loves going out, wants to eat good food, also tries her hand at outdoor games. She is open for anything. She loves sports, music. That the best part of her. We hope she continues her journey ahead and achieve all the success,” concluded Dr Namrata.
By Paritosh Pramanik
HER father used to play chess as a hobby while her great grandfather (maternal) used to spend Saturdays challenging the great revolutionary Vinoba Bhave in the game of 64 square. Inculcating father’s hobby and grandfather’s ‘roots’, Nagpur’s Divya Deshmukh carved a niche for herself to become a Woman International Master in chess at a tender age of 14 years.
The yet-to-be 15 Divya has claimed many a title, dethroned several well-known figures in chess as she emerged Queen of the 64 squares at a very small age.
An “obedient” daughter of ophthalmologist Dr Jitendra and Dr Namrata Deshmukh, Divya, too, started playing chess as a hobby with her father and gradually developed intererst only to make it her passion.
“She has been a very obedient and hard-working kid. Her interest in chess generated slowly over a period of time. My husband used to play chess as a hobby. I knew the game because my grandfather used to play chess with Vinoba Bhave every Saturday. So it was not new to our family,” Dr Namrata told ‘The Hitavada’.
Divya’s growing interest in chess forced Deshmukhs to help her pursue her dream. The way she picked the nuances of game, the doctor couple were sure their daughter would make a name sooner than later in the brain game. But both never thought that their daughter would start winning titles at a very tender age. “We knew it is too early to assume anything. But she started playing well and also started winning trophies,” Dr Namrata proudly said.
Looking at her progress Deshmukhs started supporting her in every possible way. “We tried to do everything that was required to do. There were challenges and there will be more diffifult paths in future but we have to face it. Monetary challenge is the biggest one,” admitted Dr Namrata. Dr Jitendra is working as professor and head in Government Medical College at Gondia and gets very little time to spend with his daughter. But whenever he is at home, he makes it a point to spend time with the WIM daughter. “When he is at home he helps in everything. When on duty he is just a phone call away. He is the decision maker for us,” admitted Dr Namrata. Divya does call her father regularly and at times also does video call. “Thanks to video calling, little compensation is there. She always make a video call and talk to her father. She calls him anytime...talks to him about chess,” mentioned Dr Namrata.
When on tour Divya, who is an Under-14 Commonwealth Championships gold medalist (2019), makes a point to talk to her father before the start of
her round. “Many times just before the round starts Divya makes a call to her father. That makes her more confident,” claimed Dr Namrata. The little princess of Deshmukh family is passionate for chess. “Once she decided to play a tournament in high fever. We were reluctant but she did not budge. And she won the title. That was the proudest moment for all of us. She is a very hard nut to crack. Does not give up easily,” said Dr Namrata.
Dr Namrata gets concerned when Divya, who won the Under-12 World Cadets Chess title at Pocos de Caldas, Brazil in 2017, insists to play any tournament even if she is not well. “As I said earlier, she is very passionate for chess. Even half fit, she wants to participate in any tournament.”
Being a chess wizard, Divya, who won her first World title (U-10) at the World Youth Chess Championship in Durban in 2014, wants to live life fully.
“She loves going out, wants to eat good food, also tries her hand at outdoor games. She is open for anything. She loves sports, music. That the best part of her. We hope she continues her journey ahead and achieve all the success,” concluded Dr Namrata.
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