London, June 15, 2025 — In a thrilling semifinal clash at the FIDE World Blitz Team Championship, 19-year-old Indian prodigy Divya Deshmukh pulled off a sensational 74-move victory over World No. 1 Hou Yifan of China, marking a career-defining moment in her rapid rise through the international chess ranks.
Representing Hexamind Chess Club, Divya avenged an earlier defeat to Hou in the round-robin phase with remarkable composure, seizing on an endgame inaccuracy to clinch the win and push her team into medal contention. Her blitz campaign was formidable: 6 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, with a performance rating of 2606.
Divya didn’t stop there. She led Hexamind to bronze in blitz, followed by a team silver and individual bronze in the rapid segment—securing three medals in total at the London event.
The victory drew widespread acclaim. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised her “grit and determination,” calling her win an inspiration for young athletes. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis called it “a proud moment for India and Maharashtra.” Divya responded warmly, thanking the Prime Minister and dedicating her triumph to the country.
Why it matters:
•This was Divya’s first-ever victory against a reigning World Champion.
•With her stellar performance, she’s now firmly established as one of India’s leading forces in blitz and rapid formats.
•Born on December 9, 2005, in Nagpur, Divya is already an International Master and Woman Grandmaster, with a current FIDE rating of 2463 (June 2025).
What’s next:
Analysts now peg Divya as a future star in classical chess as well, poised to carry India’s new generation of talent onto the global stage.
