FIDE Women's World Cup final: Humpy draws with Divya in first game
In the Global Chess League, Ganges Grandmasters ended FYER American Gambits' winning streak with a 9-7 victory, moving to second place. Defending champions Alpine APL Pipers secured their second consecutive win, defeating Ganges Grandmasters 11-6. Key players like Polina Shuvalova, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Koneru Humpy delivered crucial performances, while Magnus Carlsen showcased his endgame prowess with a draw against Nepomniachtchi. PBG Alaskan Knights also registered a comfortable win against CheQ Mumba Masters.
World chess champion D Gukesh is ranked 19th behind the legendary Viswanathan Anand at 13th.
D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa secured important wins in Round 7 of the Norway Chess tournament, while Divya Deshmukh defeated Koneru Humpy, boosting India's chances in the competition.
Led by R Praggnanandhaa on the top board and World champion D Gukesh on the fourth, the Indian men scored an emphatic 3-1 victory over Holland but the Indian eves were shocked by Poland in the fifth round of the 46th chess Olympiad in Samarkand.
Koneru Humpy edged Chinese GM Lei Tingjie in the tiebreaks in the semis to set up an all-Indian final against compatriot Divya Deshmukh in the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup.
World champion D Gukesh's live rating has slipped below 2700 after the first two rounds of the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The Indian men's team, defending champions, had an average start with two unconvincing wins, while the Indian women's team performed better against weaker opposition. Gukesh's rating drop comes ahead of his world title challenge against Javokhir Sindarov in November.
Ace Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy once again demonstrated her strength in positional play as she defeated Polina Shuvalova of Russia in the fourth round of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in Pune on Thursday.
Grandmaster Koneru Humpy held China's Tingjie Lei to a comfortable draw with black pieces, while Divya Deshmukh's solid defence frustrated former women's world champion Zhongyi Tan in the first game of the FIDE Women's World Cup semifinals in Batumi, Georgia, on Tuesday.
Reigning champion Koneru Humpy displayed her trademark composure and tenacity to remain in joint lead in the women's section.
The Global Chess League commenced with defending champions Alpine APL Pipers securing a 10-8 victory over Mumba Masters, spearheaded by Magnus Carlsen.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has sought to allay security concerns surrounding the upcoming Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, emphasising that safety measures and contingency plans are in place despite regional instability.
'Being the defending champions certainly gives us confidence, but every Olympiad is a new event and starts from scratch.'
Grandmaster R Vaishali emerged victorious at the Women's Candidates Tournament, earning the right to challenge Ju Wenjun for the World Championship title.
The Asian Junior Chess Championships will host 157 players from 10 countries in Mumbai from August 16-26. The tournament, featuring Classical, Rapid, and Blitz formats, offers Grandmaster and International Master norms to winners and showcases top U20 talent, including leading Indian and international players.
Indian chess stalwarts Koneru Humpy and Dronavalli Harika ended their high-profile contest in a quick draw in the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in Pune on Friday.
'I always prefer to just play a single tournament and go back home, spend time with my family and have a one-month break and then take part in another one.'
Koneru Humpy defeated China's Zhu Jiner to jump into sole lead with 5.5 points after the seventh round of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in Pune on Monday.
The tie-breaker, which will be a series of shorter-duration games, will be played on Monday to determine the winner.
Alireza Firouzja takes the lead at Norway Chess after a strong performance, while D Gukesh faces a setback. In the women's competition, Divya Deshmukh shines with a victory.
The stars competing at the Norway Chess event were in for an authentic Wild West surprise when they had to don cowboy hats, roper boots, well worn-out jeans to indulge in some rodeo activity.
Apart from Tan, top seed Tingjie Lei of China also made it to the semifinals at the expense of Nana Dzagnidze of Georgia.
World champion D Gukesh is set to compete in the prestigious Norway Chess tournament, facing a strong field including Magnus Carlsen and R Praggnanandhaa. The event, held in Oslo, features top players in both Open and Women's sections, with India having four representatives.
Experience prevailed over youth as India's Koneru Humpy defeated compatriot Divya Deshmukh and China's Zhu Jiner emerged the sole leader in an eventful third round of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in Pune on Wednesday.
Indian International Master Divya Deshmukh made a huge stride forward, defeating second seed Jiner Zhu of China in the first game of the pre-quarterfinals of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup in Batumi, Georgia, on Wednesday.
Magnus Carlsen defeated D Gukesh at the Norway Chess tournament, while R Praggnanandhaa secured second place after beating Vincent Keymer. In the women's event, Divya Deshmukh lost to Anna Muzychuk, and Koneru Humpy continued to struggle.
India has a bright future in chess as we have many players in top 10 rankings: Humpy
D Gukesh emerged victorious after a bruising, nerve-jangling marathon battle against Vincent Keymer, and R Praggnanandhaa outplayed Alireza Firouzja but world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen suffered a rare opening-round defeat at Norway Chess, which began amid towering bookshelves at the historic Deichman Bjorvika public library in Oslo.
'She is now a role model for the upcoming young generation. And I am sure that this victory will definitely motivate and inspire the Indian women, and those who are coming up.'
R Praggnanandhaa dealt another stunning blow to hometown hero and World No 1 Magnus Carlsen, defeating the Norwegian in a classical game for the second time at Norway Chess 2026.
In 2002, she became the first Indian woman to achieve the GM title, securing her place in chess history. Today, she remains India's top ranked women's player in the country.
FIDE, the world chess governing body, has rejected calls to move the Candidates Tournament from Cyprus despite security concerns arising from regional conflicts. The tournament is scheduled to begin on March 28.
Gukesh suffers crushing loss against Nakamura, Erigaisi wins in Norway Chess
Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh has said she was not under any kind of pressure while playing the FIDE Women's World Cup final against compatriot Koneru Humpy as she had "nothing to lose".
Harika lost 1-0 to China's Hou Yifan
This marks the first time that four players from a single country have reached the quarter-finals of the FIDE Women's World Chess Cup.
With her family in tow, Humpy met the PM and described it as a "once-in-a-lifetime privilege."
Anemone Kulczak, the chief arbiter at Norway Chess, believes reigning world champion D Gukesh remains the clear favourite to defend his crown later this year.
Viswanathan Anand shares his views on R. Praggnanandhaa's chances at the upcoming FIDE Candidates tournament, highlighting potential rivals and the tournament's significance.
If winning the National Championship does not help a player make the national team, what exactly is the value of becoming India's national champion?
