6 days ago
Divya Deshmukh Joins Defending Champions Alpine Pipers
Divya Deshmukh is a 20-year-old Indian chess player.
She recently won the 2025 Women’s Chess World Cup and was named an Arjuna Award recipient.
She will play in the Global Chess League for the first time.
Her team, Alpine Pipers, won the previous season.
The team also includes famous players such as Magnus Carlsen.
The league uses rapid chess and teams rather than only individual competitions.
Divya is excited to play in front of a home crowd in India.
The tournament will take place in Bengaluru from September 5 to 13.
2025 Women’s Chess World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh will make her Global Chess League debut.
She will represent defending champions Alpine Pipers in the league’s fourth season.
The Pipers’ lineup includes world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Vidit Gujrathi and Volodar Murzin.
The mixed-team rapid chess tournament will feature 36 players across six global franchises.
Season 4 will be held at The Lalit Ashok in Bengaluru from September 5 to 13.
- Who
- Divya Deshmukh will join the Alpine Pipers alongside Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Vidit Gujrathi and Volodar Murzin.
- What
- Deshmukh will make her Global Chess League debut in the league’s fourth season.
- Where
- The event will be held at The Lalit Ashok in Bengaluru.
- When
- The tournament is scheduled for September 5 to 13.
- Why
- Deshmukh is taking part to compete in the league’s rapid, franchise-based mixed-team format and play before a home crowd.
Key facts
- Player
- Divya Deshmukh, a 20-year-old Indian chess player
- Recent achievement
- Winner of the 2025 Women’s Chess World Cup
- Award
- Named an Arjuna Award recipient
- Team
- Alpine Pipers, the defending champions
- Notable teammates
- Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Vidit Gujrathi and Volodar Murzin
- Format
- Rapid chess in a mixed-team franchise format
- Venue and dates
- The Lalit Ashok in Bengaluru, from September 5 to 13
Quotes
Divya Deshmukh
Indian chess player and Alpine Pipers recruit
“I guess it’s always great to have a teammate that is considered one of the best in the world. But for me, it’s also not just Magnus in my team. There are so many great players overall. There’s Anish, there’s Vidit, and there’s also Murzin. So, it’s not just about one person. It’s about the whole team.”
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thehansindia.com
“It’s my debut, so I’m definitely very excited. It’s not like any other chess tournament. There’s going to be a lot of audience for this one, which is going to be really nice. And also, the format is quite different to classical events, so it’s fun. Playing in India is always fun.”
theprint.in
thehansindia.com
Sources
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