Divya received a grand reception in Nagpur, with her relatives and fans arriving much in advance to receive her.

“My parents have played the biggest role in my career. Without them, I would not have reached here. 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, about Joshi, who passed away in 2020 at just 40 years of age.

“My mother and father had a bigger role to play but definitely my whole family, my sister Arya Deshmukh, my grandmother, grandfather… I don’t think whatever I will say will be enough (for my parents).”

Divya also reserved special praise for GM Abhijit Kunte, saying he was lucky for her.

“Abhijit sir is lucky for me. Wherever he has been with me, I have won the trophy,” she said.

Elaborating on her future plans, Divya said she would take a break and then compete in the Grand Swiss, to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 2–16.

“I will take some rest this month and will play Grand Swiss next month.”