Divya Deshmukh, India’s 17-year-old Chess Woman Grandmaster from Maharashtra, has won the women’s title in the rapid section of the Tata Steel Chess India tournament.

She got to play in India’s Tata Steel Chess India tournament only because R. Vaishali pulled out at almost the last minute. She began as the 10th seed in a field of 10 in the women’s rapid section. And she finished right at the top.

• The 17-year-old from Nagpur authored one of the most remarkable stories – and there have been many – in Indian chess of late to become the champion.
• Her story had a dramatic ending too. Deshmukh stunned second seed Koneru Humpy in the last round, with black pieces.
• She still had to wait for the result of the game between top seed and World champion Ju Wenjun of China and defending champion Anna Ushenina of Ukraine. Ushenina did Divya a favour, holding Ju to a draw.