Eyes on the crown as Humpy battles Divya in all-India final

A decorated veteran and a rising prodigy eye the WC title in a clash of contrasts

- Ashish Magotra

History has already been made. Never before has the final of the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup had two players from India. But for one of these players, it promises to get even better.

For now, with the crown in sight, world No.5 Koneru Humpy and world No.18 Divya Deshmukh share one dream but there is much that separates the two.

The differences begin with their age — Humpy, at 38, is twice the age of the 19-year-old Deshmukh. In fact, at the age of 15, the former had become India's first woman to attain the GM title in 2002 — three years before Deshmukh was born.

Not that it matters as much as current form but experience will certainly be a factor in the final and the veteran calm of Humpy may be crucial.

Before every game, Humpy takes her seat at the table and closes her eyes in a meditative pose. There is a video of Lei Tingjie trying her best not to disturb the Indian before Game 1 of the semifinal — it was part funny and part a window into how the reigning world rapid champion operates in a different space.