In a quiet corner of Nagpur, a young girl once stared curiously at a chessboard, unaware that one day, the world would be staring right back at her—in awe.
Born in 2005, Divya Deshmukh’s tryst with chess began early, and she wasted no time making her mark. While most teenagers were juggling schoolwork and social media, Divya was climbing the global chess ladder with fierce determination.
By 16, she had already achieved what many dream of: the title of Woman Grandmaster in 2021. But Divya wasn’t done. In 2023, she became an International Master—an impressive badge of honour in the chess world and a rare feat for someone her age.
Her hunger for victory only grew stronger. In 2022, she was crowned India’s Women’s Chess Champion, and a year later, she conquered Asia by winning the Asian Women’s Championship. But it was at Tata Steel India 2023 that Divya truly stole the spotlight. Up against some of the biggest names in Indian chess—Koneru Humpy and Dronavalli Harika—Divya didn’t just hold her own, she won the entire women’s rapid section, turning heads across the globe.
Then came 2024, a golden year. Divya stormed through the World U20 Championship with a stunning score of 10/11. She followed that up with a stellar performance at the Chess Olympiad, helping India clinch team gold and bagging an individual gold on board 3.
But perhaps her most electric moment came in 2025, when she defeated none other than former World No.1 Hou Yifan in a blitz game at the World Team Championships. The match sent shockwaves through the chess world and earned her a personal shoutout from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Now, at just 19, Divya Deshmukh is more than a prodigy—she’s a symbol of fearless ambition, quiet confidence, and boundless potential. Her story isn’t just about trophies and titles. It’s about breaking barriers, chasing dreams, and redefining what a young Indian girl can do—with nothing but a chessboard and an unstoppable will.
And if her journey so far is anything to go by, this is only her opening move.
