Proud Moment: Nagpur Girl Divya Deshmukh, Defeats World No. 1 Hou Yifan in London Blitz Semifinals
Proud Moment: Nagpur Girl Divya Deshmukh, Defeats World No. 1 Hou Yifan in London Blitz Semifinals
India finishes third in Blitz and second in Rapid at World Team Chess Championships; PM Modi hails the young grandmaster’s win as inspirational
Indian chess prodigy and Woman Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh delivered a historic performance at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2025 in London by defeating World No. 1 Hou Yifan in a dramatic 74-move game. Her crucial win in the Blitz semifinals helped India clinch third place in the Blitz format and second place in the Rapid segment.
The 19-year-old from Nagpur held her ground in a fiercely contested match that remained balanced for most of its course. However, in the final phase, Hou made a small but decisive mistake, which Divya seized with precision to secure a memorable victory. The triumph marks one of the most significant wins in Divya’s career and has placed her firmly in the global chess spotlight.
Following her performance, Divya shared her thoughts on social media:
“Finally, what seemed like an eternity is over, World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships! The team finished second in rapid and third in blitz. Had an amazing experience with the team,” she wrote.
The chess world has taken notice of this breakthrough, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis publicly applauding her. PM Modi praised Divya’s resilience and skill, calling her performance “an inspiration for generations to come.”
Divya’s win comes at a time when Indian chess is enjoying a golden period on the international stage. Reigning World Champion D Gukesh recently claimed third place at the prestigious Norway Chess Tournament after scoring his first-ever classical win over former world champion Magnus Carlsen. Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi also impressed with a fifth-place finish.
With rising stars like Divya, Gukesh, and Arjun leading the charge, India’s emergence as a global chess powerhouse looks increasingly certain.
