In a thrilling display of chess prowess, S L Narayanan became the first of nine Indians to qualify for the Round of 128 in the FIDE World Cup 2025. The Indian chess grandmaster triumphed over Steven Rojas of South Africa in the first set of tie-break games, securing his place in the next round after a dominant performance on Monday.

Narayanan’s Brilliant Performance

Narayanan, who is renowned for his skills in faster formats of chess, showcased his brilliance in the tie-breaker against Rojas. The match started with Narayanan playing the Sicilian defense as black in the first game. The South African struggled to handle Narayanan’s finely orchestrated plan, and Narayanan surged ahead with a victory in just 22 moves.

In the second game, Narayanan continued to apply pressure. With his characteristic attacking style, he broke through Rojas’ defenses, securing another victory. The match was anticipated to be one-sided, and Narayanan didn’t disappoint, sealing his qualification with ease.

Diptayan Ghosh’s Steady Rise

Along with Narayanan, Diptayan Ghosh also performed exceptionally well in the first set of tiebreakers. Ghosh outclassed Peng Xionglian of China, winning both of his games in the tie-breaker to move ahead. The Kolkata-based player was calm under pressure, showcasing his best form to qualify for the next round. His solid performance sets him up for a tougher challenge in the upcoming rounds, but Ghosh’s composure in high-stakes games suggests he is ready to take on more formidable opponents.

Other Indian Performances in Round 1

India’s chess contingent performed admirably in the opening round of the World Cup 2025, with several players advancing to the next stage:

• V Pranav defeated Ala Eddine Boulrens (Algeria) with a 2-0 scoreline.
• Raunak Sadhwani triumphed over FM Daniel Barrish (South Africa) with a 1.5-0.5 victory.
• M Pranesh defeated Satbek Akhmedinov (Kazakhstan) with a 1.5-0.5 score.
• Karthik Venkataraman beat Roberto Garcia Pantoja (Cuba) 1.5-0.5.
• Surya Shekhar Ganguly delivered a strong 2-0 victory against Ahmad Ahmadzada (Azerbaijan).
• Pa Iniyan defeated Dylan Berdayes (Cuba) 1.5-0.5.
• Raja Rithvik and Aronyak Ghosh fought hard to secure tiebreaks after drawing 1-1 in their matches.
• M R Lalit Babu also drew with GM Max Warmerdam (Netherlands), 1-1, and progressed after a tiebreak.

However, there were setbacks as well, with Himal Gusain losing to Andy Woodward (USA) 0-2, and G B Harshavardhan, Neelash Saha, Leon Luke Mendonca, and Divya Deshmukh all bowing out after losses in their matches.

India’s Strong Representation in the Chess World Cup

The FIDE World Cup 2025 is turning out to be an exciting competition for India, with several players showcasing their skills on the global stage. As the tournament progresses, fans will be eagerly watching the continued performances of S L Narayanan, Diptayan Ghosh, and other Indian chess stars.

For now, Narayanan’s qualification for the Round of 128 stands as a testament to his skill and dedication. With India’s chess future looking bright, fans can expect more exciting games in the coming rounds.

Indian chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh has pulled off one of the most remarkable underdog stories in recent chess history by defeating Tan Zhongyi, the third seed and former world champion, in the semifinals of the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup.

With this victory, the 18-year-old International Master (IM) not only advanced to the prestigious final but also achieved her first Grandmaster (GM) norm, a career milestone for any elite player.

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The victory over Tan marks Divya’s third straight win against a Grandmaster, a streak that has sent shockwaves through the chess world. Analysts are already dubbing her journey to the finals as a “Cinderella run”, filled with grit, tactical brilliance, and a fearless approach that belies her years.

“It’s the biggest win of my career… I just gave it everything I had,” Divya said.

Divya’s win came after a grueling classical game where she maintained composure in a tense middlegame position. Using deep preparation and fearless creativity, she exploited inaccuracies from her opponent in the endgame to seal the victory. With this, she became the youngest Indian woman ever to reach the final of the Women’s World Cup.

Her opponent, Tan Zhongyi — the 2017 Women’s World Champion and one of China’s top players — was considered a favorite to win the entire tournament. But Divya’s sharp play disrupted Tan’s rhythm early in the match, and she never quite recovered.

Who Is Divya Deshmukh?

A native of Nagpur, India, Divya has long been viewed as one of the brightest talents in Indian chess. She has represented the country at multiple youth championships and made headlines by winning the Asian Women’s Championship at the age of 16.

Her rapid rise has been mentored closely by Indian Chess Federation coaches and supported by senior players, including Viswanathan Anand, who has praised her attacking instincts and nerves of steel.

A Spot in the Candidates Awaits

With this win, Divya not only progresses to the final but also secures a spot in the Women’s Candidates Tournament, the gateway to a shot at the Women’s World Chess Championship title.

“She’s the future of Indian women’s chess,” said Tania Sachdev, an Indian Woman Grandmaster and commentator, during the live broadcast. “Her game is maturing at lightning speed.”

Humpy Koneru Survives Thriller

In another nail-biting semi-final match, Koneru Humpy narrowly escaped elimination against Lei Tingjie, the tournament’s 2nd seed. After losing the first classical game, Humpy bounced back with a crucial win, forcing tie-breaks.

The drama intensified as both players entered blitz territory. Ultimately, Humpy edged past Lei in a razor-thin armageddon game, setting up the all-Indian final — a first in the tournament’s history.

India’s Golden Era in Women’s Chess?

With Divya Deshmukh and Humpy Koneru both entering the finals, many believe this marks the beginning of a golden chapter for Indian women in the global chess arena.

India has traditionally dominated men’s chess with names like Viswanathan Anand and rising star R Praggnanandhaa. But this new wave of fearless female competitors is rewriting the narrative.

The FIDE Women’s World Cup final, now featuring two Indians, is being hailed as a historic moment for the sport — not just for India, but for global representation in elite chess.

What’s Next?

The final between Divya and Humpy is scheduled for this weekend, with chess fans across the world eagerly anticipating a fierce yet respectful showdown. Regardless of the outcome, Divya Deshmukh’s meteoric rise and stunning performance has already etched her name in the sport’s elite echelons.

Her message to fans? “Don’t be afraid to dream big. And always keep fighting — even when the odds are against you.”

Magnus Carlsen continues to defy the limits of brilliance on the chessboard. The World No. 1 and five-time World Chess Champion once again asserted his supremacy, clinching the 2025 SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia title in Zagreb—and he didn’t even need the final round to do it.

With an extraordinary 22.5 points across rapid and blitz games, Carlsen claimed his sixth straight Rapid & Blitz victory on the Grand Chess Tour (GCT) circuit, and a jaw-dropping tenth win in just twelve GCT appearances. The victory earned him $40,000 and reaffirmed his unparalleled grip on modern chess.

What I really like about this event is the format—you have a lot of games and time to come back,” Carlsen said after his win.

Trailing behind him were Wesley So of the USA, who finished second and took home $30,000, and rising star Gukesh Dommaraju from India, who earned $25,000 for third place.

Final Standings: SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia

Saint Louis Awaits: Wildcards Revealed for GCT’s U.S. Legs

With Croatia in the books, the GCT now heads to Saint Louis, Missouri—often dubbed the “Chess Capital of America”. Two back-to-back events will close out the regular season:

• Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz (Aug 9–17)
• Sinquefield Cup (Aug 16–29)

Wildcard players for the Saint Louis Rapid & Blitz include:

• Leinier Dominguez (USA)
• Liem Le (Vietnam)
• Sam Shankland (USA)
• Grigoriy Oparin (USA)

The field also includes elite full-tour players such as Fabiano Caruana, Gukesh Dommaraju, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So, Levon Aronian, and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.

The Sinquefield Cup: Classical Firepower Returns

Held immediately after, the Sinquefield Cup brings back the classic format and offers $350,000 in prize money. The final event will determine which four players qualify for the GCT Finals in São Paulo, Brazil, this September.

The Sinquefield Cup field includes names like Praggnanandhaa, Alireza Firouzja, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, and wildcard Samuel Sevian.

As we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Grand Chess Tour, we hope this continues to inspire players of all ages,” said Augusta Dragic, President of the Superbet Foundation.

What’s Next: GCT Finals in Brazil

The 2025 season will conclude with the GCT Finals in São Paulo (Sept 26–Oct 4), where the top four regular-season scorers will face off for a share of the $350,000 knockout prize purse.

From Warsaw to Zagreb, and soon Saint Louis, the Grand Chess Tour continues to celebrate the very best of international chess—powered by legends, prodigies, and timeless strategy.