Divya Deshmukh Beats World No.1, PM Modi Applauds

Divya Deshmukh Beats World No.1, PM Modi Applauds

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised India’s rising chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh for her remarkable win over World No. 1 Hou Yifan during the second leg of the blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships held in London.

The 18-year-old, representing Hexamind Chess Club, went head-to-head with Chinese grandmaster Hou Yifan, who played for the WR Chess Team. In a tense 74-move game, Divya capitalized on a rare endgame blunder by Yifan to secure a stunning victory—her first ever against the top-ranked player.

“Congratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No. 1, Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Her success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future endeavours,” PM Modi posted on X.

Divya showcased consistent brilliance throughout the blitz segment, winning six out of eight games, with one draw and only one loss, achieving a performance rating of 2606. She played a key role in securing a bronze medal for her team, defeating Uzbekistan 3.5–2.5 in both rounds of the third-place playoff.

Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also extended his congratulations, stating, “Heartiest congratulations to our chess star Divya Deshmukh on her stunning win over world No. 1 Hou Yifan… Wishing you the very best for the future games.”

Divya had also delivered an impressive performance in the rapid section of the tournament, scoring five wins, six draws, and only one loss. Her contribution earned her team silver and an individual bronze on Board 6 with a performance rating of 2420.

The third edition of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships was held from June 10 to 16 in London. The event featured a total prize pool of €500,000, with €310,000 for the rapid event and €190,000 for the blitz.

Divya Deshmukh’s triumph is being hailed as a major milestone for Indian chess, underscoring her growing presence on the international stage and igniting inspiration for a new generation of players.