Indian chess is celebrating a moment of glory as Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh triumphed over the world’s number one player, Hou Yifan, in the World Team Blitz Championships held in London. The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, quickly acknowledged Deshmukh’s achievement, praising her resilience and the example she sets for young chess enthusiasts. Deshmukh herself acknowledged the honor of being recognized by the Prime Minister. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also joined the celebrations, sending his congratulations to the chess star. This victory adds to India’s recent successes in the world of chess. D. Gukesh, the reigning World Champion and recipient of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, secured a third-place position in the Norway Chess tournament, marked by a victory over Magnus Carlsen. Arjun Erigaisi also had a commendable performance. Aravindh Chithambaram won the Stepan Avagyan Memorial Chess Tournament, and R Praggnanandhaa finished second in the same tournament.
