Nagpur: International Master Divya Deshmukh of Nagpur emerged champion of the Sharjah Challengers 2024, the other day. In the final round, Divya played out a draw against IM Leya Garifullina to emerge winner.
At the end of the ninth and final round, Divya, who was seeded eighth in the competition, had a tie with Russian IM Leya Garifullina and Iranian fifth seed Sina Movahed. However, on the basis of Buchholz’s tie-break score of 47, Divya emerged champion. Leya had 45 while Sina had 41 Buchholz tie-break scores. Divya, who is a national women’s champion collected seven points.
According to reports, in the rook and bishop vs rook endgame, Divya got a couple of chances in the end to push for a win. However, she decided not to take any unwarranted risk in the final round. A draw was enough for her to become the champion and that’s what she did. Divya, who is the reigning Asian Continental Women’s champion, has earned herself a spot in the Masters section of the next edition.
In the nine-round competition, Divya won five rounds and drew four. Divya, who is rated at 2440, earned 16.4 international rating points from the competition. Over 90 players from 38 countries including six Grandmasters participated in the competition for the top honours. Divya had a favourable start to the competition as she recorded two quick wins over Akshat Sureka and Vedant Nagarkatte both of India.
Playing with black on the third board, Divya defended well to draw with Dhruva Thota. In the next round, Divya took advantage of playing with white to beat American IM Farahat Ali in a 49 moves battle. She then made the light work of Indian IM Aradhya Garg with a quick 36-move win to share the lead with 4.5 points in her kitty. In the sixth round, Divya defended well to hold second seeded Paraguay’s GM Delgado Ramirez Neuris. The game lasted 20 moves.
It was in the seventh round when Divya surged ahead when she beat lower ranked Indian IM Viani Antonio Dcunha to secure sole lead with six points. In the penultimate round, Divya played a defensive game and forced third seeded Russian GM Vladimir Burmakin to split point in 35 moves.
In the final round, Divya drew with Leya to claim the title. GM Bardiya Daneshvar (IRI) drew against GM Arjun Erigaisi to win 7th Sharjah Masters 2024. GM Volodar Murzin, GM Sam Shankland (USA) and GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov (UZB) also scored the same 6.5/9 points each. They were placed second to fourth respectively. Arjun became the sole Indian to make a top ten finish in the Masters. He secured seventh place.
