1 week ago
Divya Deshmukh Targets Khel Ratna After Breakthrough Chess Year
Divya Deshmukh is a 20-year-old chess player from India.
She had a very successful 2025.
She won the Women’s World Cup and became a grandmaster.
She also played in tournaments where men and women compete together.
In one event, she drew against world champion Gukesh.
Divya recently received the Arjuna Award, which she had wanted since childhood.
Now, she hopes to win the Khel Ratna one day.
She will next play team events in Bengaluru and Samarkand, while also preparing for university exams.
Divya Deshmukh won the Women’s World Cup and became a grandmaster in 2025.
She also competed in four open events, including the FIDE World Cup and Grand Swiss.
The 20-year-old received the Arjuna Award and now hopes to win the Khel Ratna someday.
She plans to return to open tournaments next year after missing them this year.
Her upcoming schedule includes the Global Chess League in Bengaluru and the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand.
- Who
- Indian chess player Divya Deshmukh, along with fellow player Vidit Gujrathi, who was also named for the Arjuna Award.
- What
- Deshmukh discussed her 2025 successes, her Arjuna Award, her goal of winning the Khel Ratna, and her tournament plans.
- Where
- Her upcoming events are in Bengaluru and Samarkand.
- When
- She had her breakthrough year in 2025; the interview discusses her current schedule and plans for next year.
- Why
- She wants to continue challenging herself in open tournaments and help India defend its Chess Olympiad title.
Key facts
- Age
- 20
- Major 2025 achievements
- Women’s World Cup victory and grandmaster title
- Open events in 2025
- Four, including the FIDE World Cup and Grand Swiss
- National honour
- Arjuna Award
- Next goal
- Khel Ratna
- Upcoming team events
- Global Chess League in Bengaluru and Chess Olympiad in Samarkand
- Reported timing discrepancy
- The article refers to her return to open events as both next year and 2027.
Quotes
Divya Deshmukh
Indian chess grandmaster and Women’s World Cup winner
“Arjuna has always been one of the honours that I wished to be recognised with as a child, so it feels quite special. And the fact that it comes after the World Cup is quite nice. It makes up a nice memory. It is very prestigious.”
indianexpress.com
“I would say there is much less pressure personally for me to play in open tournaments. Of course, these are also extremely strong competitions. So it’s the best of both worlds.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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