Archive · 23 Dec 2025
2025: Chess Takes Over India
In 2025, chess became incredibly popular in India.
Young players like Divya Deshmukh won big tournaments, and many new grandmasters emerged.
India also hosted important chess events, and a new league made chess exciting for fans.
Schools and academies are teaching more kids to play chess, and many people now see it as a cool and mainstream sport.
It was a great year for chess in India!
Divya Deshmukh won the FIDE Women’s World Cup, marking a significant achievement for Indian women's chess.
India saw a surge in the number of grandmasters, with young players like Srihari LR, Ilamparthi AR, and Raahul VS achieving the title.
P Iniyan won both the National Championship and the National Rapid title, showcasing the depth of talent in Indian chess.
India hosted the FIDE World Cup in Goa, demonstrating its capability to organize major international chess events.
The Global Chess League (GCL) 2025 in Mumbai brought a new, entertaining format to chess, attracting a wider audience.
- Who
- Indian chess players, including Divya Deshmukh, P Iniyan, and GM Pranav Venkatesh.
- What
- A significant rise in the popularity and success of chess in India, marked by numerous victories and increased participation.
- When
- Throughout 2025.
- Where
- Across India, with major events held in Goa and Mumbai.
- Why
- Due to a combination of talent, infrastructure, fan interest, technology, and opportunity.
- Divya Deshmukh
- 19-year-old who won the FIDE Women’s World Cup in 2025.
- P Iniyan
- Tamil Nadu Grandmaster who won the National Championship and National Rapid title in 2025.
- GM Pranav Venkatesh
- Won the FIDE World Junior U20 Championship in 2025, ending a 17-year drought for India.
- Global Chess League (GCL) 2025
- A franchise-based chess league held in Mumbai, featuring global stars and Indian players.
- FIDE World Cup 2025
- Hosted in Goa, marking India's return to hosting a major chess event after 23 years.
- Chess in Schools
- Chess is increasingly being integrated into school curricula and extracurricular activities.
- Chess Academies
- Chess academies are running at full capacity across metros and tier-two cities in India.
- Digital Tools
- Online tournaments and digital tools have made competitive chess exposure more accessible.
