In recent years, Indian chess has experienced a tremendous increase in popularity and success. In December of last year, Koneru Humpy won the Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship and D Gukesh was crowned the World Champion. Then, in an all-Indian final in July, Divya Deshmukh defeated Humpy to win the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup. With the victory, Divya became the 88th Grandmaster of India. She also qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament after making it to the final.
Gukesh Remembering Childhood Days After Divya’s Glory
Together and after Divya Deshmukh bagged the coveted FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup title, D. Gukesh, World Chess Champion of the day from India, took his little time to visualize their journey together. At the felicitation venue, he recalled: “We basically grew up together. We basically played in the same tournaments from the age of eight or nine.” He exalted her win to be very much inspirational, remembering the World Cup events lasted a month, further underlining how tough and huge an achievement it was.
Gukesh, who himself became the youngest undisputed World Champion in 2024, appreciated the exemplary resemblance shown by both finalists- veteran Koneru Humpy also. Stating that it is very crucial for India to be successful in both men’s and women’s chess, he said that the simultaneous success is very strengthening to India’s cause on the global map.
World Cups and Indian Chess Aspirations
Divya’s title wins effectively made her India’s 88th Grandmaster and granted her entry into the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, which are giant strides in her ongoing ascent. Gukesh expressed his pleasure at the prospect of India hosting the Men’s World Cup from October 30 to November 27, 2025, and the chances of a double victory at home. “For sure I will be taking part in the World Cup. I am really excited, and I am looking forward to it,” he said
He also remarked that knockout events are quite rare in chess, making World Cups unique and difficult competitions. Gukesh appreciates the mental and physical strain required, having played in two himself. He aims to switch to classical-format tournaments for the rest of 2025 to hone his form for international events.
