The landscape of Indian chess witnessed a seismic shift in July 2025, when a 19-year-old from Nagpur, Divya Deshmukh, scripted history in the coastal city of Batumi, Georgia. Her stunning victory at the FIDE Women's World Cup did far more than just earn her a trophy; it emphatically announced India's arrival as the undeniable new powerhouse of global chess.
A Star is Born: Divya's Historic Triumph
Divya Deshmukh's achievement is monumental on multiple fronts. She became the first Indian woman ever to win the prestigious FIDE Women's World Cup. This single victory unlocked three career-defining milestones simultaneously. First, she secured an automatic qualification for the 2026 Women's Candidates tournament, where the winner earns the right to challenge China's reigning world champion, Ju Wenjun. Second, and most notably, her win granted her the coveted Grandmaster (GM) title instantly, bypassing the traditional norms and rating requirements.
This triumph marks a pivotal moment for women's chess in India, which for nearly two decades has been carried by stalwarts like Koneru Humpy and Dronavalli Harika. Divya, the daughter of doctors, has now emerged as a formidable new torchbearer, showcasing the incredible depth of talent brewing in the country.
Gukesh's Turbulent Year Amidst Indian Chess Boom
While Divya soared, 2025 presented a contrasting narrative for the reigning world champion, D. Gukesh. The year began promisingly with a second-place finish at the Tata Steel Chess Masters in Wijk Aan Zee. However, after the high of his 2024 world title, Gukesh faced unexpected turbulence.
He suffered a string of setbacks, including an early exit from the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, a dismal finish at the FIDE Grand Swiss, and a shocking third-round elimination at the FIDE World Cup in Goa. His supremacy was directly challenged by country-mate R. Praggnanandhaa, who defeated him in a thrilling blitz tiebreaker to win the Tata Steel Masters title.
Despite the gloom, two bright spots defined Gukesh's year. His now-legendary victory over world number one Magnus Carlsen at the Norway Chess tournament in Stavanger caused a global social media storm. The image of his calm demeanor after the win was even used by French football giants Paris Saint-Germain to celebrate their first UEFA Champions League title, garnering over eight million impressions. Later in October, Gukesh also clinched the European Club Cup with his team, SuperChess, winning an individual gold.
India's Grandmaster Factory and Future Prospects
India's chess revolution is a collective phenomenon. The disappointment of home favourites like Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Vidit Gujrathi failing to secure Candidates berths at the Goa World Cup was mitigated when Praggnanandhaa sealed his spot by winning the FIDE Circuit 2025, becoming the first Indian male to qualify via that route.
The nation's Grandmaster count continues to swell impressively. From the legendary Viswanathan Anand being the first in 1988, India now boasts 91 Grandmasters. The class of 2025 alone includes luminaries like LR Srihari, Harikrishnan A Ra, S Rohith Krishna, Ilamparthi AR, Raahul VS, and of course, Divya Deshmukh.
The pipeline of talent shows no signs of slowing. With prodigies like Madhya Pradesh's Sarvagya Singh Kushwaha entering the FIDE rating list at just three years, seven months, and 20 days, India's chess future seems destined to break more records and scale greater heights. The baton is being passed, and a new, vibrant generation is firmly in charge.
