Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh was overwhelmed by a grand reception on arrival in her hometown, Nagpur, after winning the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup in Batumi, Georgia.

Divya, 19, defeated compatriot Koneru Humpy, 38, in tie-breakers in the final to become the first Indian woman to win the World Cup.

"I am feeling very happy that so many people have come to felicitate me, and chess is getting the recognition," said Divya on Thursday.

Divya held out a framed photograph of her first coach, the late Rahul Joshi, during an open jeep parade in Nagpur.

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"Credit to my family, my parents, my sister, and my first coach, Rahul Joshi sir. He always wanted me to become the Grandmaster, and this is for him," said Divya. Joshi died in 2020 at 40.

Divya pocketed $50,000 for winning the World Cup and also earned her spot in the Candidates Tournament that will decide the challenger for World Champion Ju Wenjun.

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She has decided to take a break ahead of the Grand Swiss event to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 2-16.

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