Divya Deshmukh Shines in London: Defeats World No. 1 in Chess Tournament

Divya Deshmukh, an 18-year-old chess sensation from Maharashtra, made India proud by defeating world number one Ho Yifan at the prestigious World Team Blitz Championship held in London. Her remarkable triumph has garnered widespread acclaim and has once again highlighted her growing dominance on the global chess stage.

Despite a loss in the opening round, Divya bounced back impressively in the second match, outplaying Yifan with the white pieces. Her victory was the result of exceptional time management and sharp tactical play, demonstrating the maturity and composure of a seasoned player.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X to congratulate Divya, stating that her success is an inspiration to aspiring chess players across the country.

Born on December 9, 2005, in Nagpur, Divya Deshmukh discovered her passion for chess at the tender age of five. By seven, she clinched her first national title in the Under-7 category. Her international achievements followed quickly—winning the Under-10 World Youth Championship in Durban (2014) and the Under-12 World Youth Championship in Brazil (2017).

Divya became a Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in 2021 and earned the International Master (IM) title in 2023. In 2024, she delivered a stellar performance at the World Junior Girls U-20 Championship, scoring an extraordinary 10/11 to take home the title. That same year, she won a gold medal for India at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest.

Divya currently hones her skills at Chess Gurukul in Chennai, training under the mentorship of renowned coach Grandmaster R. B. Ramesh.