Divya Deshmukh Defeats World No. 1 Hou Yifan in Blitz Showdown
- Divya Deshmukh defeated World No. 1 Hou Yifan in the blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships.
- She helped Hexamind Chess Club secure team bronze in blitz and team silver in rapid, along with an individual bronze.
- PM Modi and Sports Minister Mandaviya congratulated Divya for her inspiring performance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded 18-year-old Indian chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh for her landmark victory over World No. 1 Hou Yifan at the FIDE World Team Blitz Championships in London. Representing Hexamind Chess Club, Divya defeated the Chinese legend, who played for the WR Chess Team, in the second leg of the blitz semifinal with a gritty performance in a 74-move battle.
In a dramatic endgame scenario, Yifan blundered her bishop in a theoretically drawn rook vs. bishop ending, allowing Divya to seize her maiden win over the world’s top-ranked female chess player. “Her success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players”, PM Modi posted on X, extending his best wishes for her future endeavors.
Divya showcased exceptional form in the blitz format, registering six wins, one draw, and just one loss out of eight games, with an elite performance rating of 2606. She further led her team to a third-place finish, overpowering Uzbekistan 3.5–2.5 in both rounds of the playoff to secure the team bronze.
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also lauded her achievement, stating on X, “Heartiest congratulations to our chess star Divya Deshmukh on her stunning win over World No. 1 Hou Yifan. Wishing you the very best for future games”.
In the rapid format of the tournament, Divya recorded five wins, six draws, and a single loss. Her consistent performance helped secure a team silver and an individual bronze medal on Board 6, earning a performance rating of 2420.
The third edition of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships was held in London from June 10 to 16, featuring a total prize fund of €500,000, with €190,000 allocated for the blitz format.
