Nagpur Chess Prodigy Divya Deshmukh Stuns World No. 1 Hou Yifan in Historic Blitz Semifinal Victory

A Thrilling Battle Against the World’s Best

The high-stakes match remained evenly poised for the majority of the game, with both players exchanging blows in a fiercely contested encounter. However, in the final phase, Hou Yifan—a four-time Women’s World Champion—committed a minor but costly error, allowing Divya to capitalize with pinpoint precision. Her historic win not only cemented her reputation as one of India’s brightest chess talents but also marked a landmark moment in Indian chess history.

PM Modi, Maharashtra Dy CM Hail Divya’s Triumph

Following her remarkable performance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to applaud the young grandmaster, calling her victory “an inspiration for generations to come.” Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also lauded Divya’s achievement, highlighting her as a proud ambassador of Indian chess.

Divya, reflecting on the tournament, shared on X (formerly Twitter):

“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.”

India’s Golden Era in Chess Continues

Divya’s triumph comes at a time when Indian chess is dominating the global stage. Reigning World Champion D Gukesh recently secured third place at Norway Chess 2025, defeating legendary Magnus Carlsen in classical chess for the first time. Meanwhile, Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi impressed with a fifth-place finish, further solidifying India’s reputation as a chess superpower.

With rising stars like Divya Deshmukh, Gukesh, and Arjun leading the charge, India’s ascent in the world of chess shows no signs of slowing down.