New Delhi: Divya Deshmukh caused a major upset by overcoming Anna Muzychuk in Round 8 of the Women’s Candidates Tournament held in Cyprus. The game became the highlight of the day as Deshmukh demonstrated strong composure and strategic play to outmanoeuvre the leader.

Her victory followed a long and intense battle, where persistence and precise endgame technique allowed her to capitalize on a late error by Muzychuk.

This win propelled Deshmukh into a tie for the lead, with several players clustered at the top in a fiercely competitive tournament. Her performance is regarded as a defining moment, showcasing her capability to challenge the world’s elite. Experts observed that the result reshaped the leaderboard and injected renewed excitement into the final rounds, keeping the contest for the top spot wide open.