“I Feel it’s My grandfather’s blessing” Says Divya Deshmukh’s Mother

Great Grandfather Dr. Durgaprasad Sharma played chess 

Divya Deshmukh, The youngest chess grandmaster and only Indian woman to win a chess world cup has garnered praises for her extraordinary talent at such a young age. Her Mother shares chess being innate to the family since ages. In a photograph, Great Grandfather played with Vinoba bhave. 

In an interview Divya Deshmukh's mother Dr. Narmata Deshmukh Said her 19-year old Chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh was born to play chess. “It is in her genes” talking about her grandfather Dr. Durgaprasad Sharma who was close to Vinoba bhave. The Indian philosopher , advocate of non violence and human rights, he was the first recipient of Raman Magsaysay, considered the nobel prize of Asia. 

Her mother says Divya inherited her great grandfather’s chess skills. Dr Durgaprasad was a connoisseur of chess, he used to play chess with vinoba bhave On every saturdays at Pavnar Ashram. 

Divya’s balance between studies and career 

Talking about Divya, her mother Dr Namrata Deshmukh says As a medical practitioner couple, it was hectic to manage their career, focus on divya and her chess career, as a result she quit her medical practices and focused on divya. There were times when Divya lost focus on her studies and that would make her parents worry, but they went with the flow. Divya completed her school studies from open schooling and has continued to study as she has enrolled in a graduation course. 

At the age of 5, Her mother who has always been fascinated to watch her grandfather play chess, made her daughter take interest in chess as well. There was a chess academy near their residence in Shakti nagar, nagpur. Divya started taking interest in chess and made significant progress. Her career started in 2010. 

In 2012, She won her First national gold Medal , won U-8 Asian champion and represented     India at the World youth championship. 
She made Headlines as she Became the First Indian woman to win Women’s chess World cup.  

Divya Deshmukh, the Winner of the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup.
Through this victory she also achieves Grandmaster status.
At the age of 19.
And behind the Grandmaster is the caring mother…

As always, the unsung hero behind many stars…

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— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 28, 2025