Latest news with #HouYifan


News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
'Grit And Determination': PM Modi Lauds Divya Deshmukh After Win Over Hou Yifan
Last Updated: The Indian teenage sensation Deshmukh, who represented Team Hexamind, got the better of her Chinese counterpart Yifan at the event in London. Indian Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi lauded the effort of chess star Divya Deshmukh to beat Hou Yifan, the top ranked player in the world, at the World Team Blitz Championship on Thursday. The Indian teenage sensation Deshmukh, who represented Team Hexamind, got the better of her Chinese counterpart Yifan at the event in London. The nation's premier took to the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, to share an update that read, 'Congratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No. 1, Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London." 'Her success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future endeavours," the post continued. Congratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No. 1, Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Her success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2025 Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also congratulated the teenager on her feat with a post that read, 'Checkmate ! Heartiest congratulations to our chess star Divya Deshmukh on her stunning win over World No. 1 Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of the Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships in London. Wishing you the very best for the future games." Checkmate ♟️ !Heartiest congratulations to our chess star Divya Deshmukh on her stunning win over World No. 1 Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of the Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships in London. Wishing you the very best for the future games. — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) June 18, 2025 First Published: June 19, 2025, 15:22 IST


India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
PM Modi lauds Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh for defeating world number one in World Team Blitz Championships
New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Indian chess grandmaster Divya Deshmukh for defeating world number one Hou Yifan in the second leg of the Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Taking to X, PM Modi posted, 'Congratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No. 1, Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Her success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future endeavours.' To this, Divya replied on X, 'Thank you, Respected Sir. It is a great honour and encouragement for me to be recognised by the Prime Minister.' Also, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also posted, 'Checkmate ! Heartiest congratulations to our chess star Divya Deshmukh on her stunning win over World No. 1 Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of the Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships in London. Wishing you the very best for the future games.' Notably, India has been doing really well at the international level in chess as of late. 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, which concluded early in June. One of his standout moments during the competition was a win over world number one Magnus Carlsen, which was his first classical game win over him. Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi also finished fifth. Also, Aravindh Chithambaram, clinched first place in the Stepan Avagyan Memorial Chess Tournament, and R Praggnanandhaa, secured second place in the same tournament. The tournament was held from May 28 to June 6. (ANI)


India Gazette
a day ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Pushkar Singh Dhami hails Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh for defeating world number one in World Team Blitz Championships
New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday lauded Indian chess grandmaster Divya Deshmukh for defeating world number one Hou Yifan in the second leg of the Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Taking to X, Pushkar Singh Dhami posted, 'Hearty congratulations to Divya Deshmukh ji on defeating world number 1 player Hou Yifan in the semi-finals of the second stage of the World Team Blitz Championship held in London. This remarkable achievement of yours is an inspiration for chess players across the country. I have full faith that you will continue to make the country proud with your excellent performance in the future as well. Infinite best wishes for your bright future!' Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Indian chess grandmaster Divya Deshmukh. Taking to X, PM Modi posted, 'Congratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No. 1, Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Her success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future endeavours. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also posted, 'Checkmate ! Heartiest congratulations to our chess star Divya Deshmukh on her stunning win over World No. 1 Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of the Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships in London. Wishing you the very best for the future games.' Notably, India has been doing really well at the international level in chess as of late. 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, which concluded early in June. One of his standout moments during the competition was a win over world number one Magnus Carlsen, which was his first classical game win over him. Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi also finished fifth. Also, Aravindh Chithambaram, clinched first place in the Stepan Avagyan Memorial Chess Tournament, and R Praggnanandhaa, secured second place in the same tournament. The tournament was held from May 28 to June 6. (ANI)


Mint
a day ago
- Politics
- Mint
‘Grit and determination': PM Modi hails chess grandmaster Divya Deshmukh for beating World No. 1 at Blitz Championships
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated Indian chess grandmaster Divya Deshmukh as she defeated World No. 1 Hou Yifan in the second leg of the Blitz semifinal. She achieved the feat at the World Team Blitz Championships that are being held at London. Prime Minister Modi said that Divya Deshmukh's success 'inspires' the upcoming chess players. 'Congratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No. 1, Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Her success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future endeavours,' PM Modi said in a message on X. Divya thanked PM Modi in the comments. 'Thank you, Respected Sir. It is a great honour and encouragement for me to be recognised by the Prime Minister,' she replied. Nagpur girl Divya Deshmukh scripted history as India witnessed another monumental moment in chess. The 19-year-old won against World No. 1 Hou Yifan at the Blitz semifinals of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championship 2025 in London. Her stunning 74-move win was crucial in making India finish at the third-place in the Blitz segment of the tournament and second in the Rapid format. Divya took to social media after her historic win. 'Finally, what seemed like an eternity is over—World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships! The team finished second in rapid and third in blitz. Had an amazing experience with the team,' she said. Meanwhile, India has been performing really well in chess off late, especially in the international forum. D. Gukesh, the reigning World Champion and a recipient of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award secured a third-place position in the Norway Chess tournament, which concluded early in June. One of his standout moments during the competition was a win over world number one Magnus Carlsen, which was his first classical game win over him. Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi also finished fifth. Apart from Gukesh, Aravindh Chithambaram clinched first place in the Stepan Avagyan Memorial Chess Tournament, and R Praggnanandhaa, secured second place in the same tournament. The tournament was held from May 28 to June 6.


News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
World Team Blitz Championships: PM Modi Praises Divya Deshmukh After India Star Beats World No. 1 Hou Yifan
Last Updated: PM Modi praised Divya Deshmukh for her win over World No. 1 Hou Yifan at the World Team Blitz Championships in London. Divya led her team to bronze. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised India's chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh for her remarkable first-ever victory over World No. 1 Hou Yifan in the second leg of the blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships in London. Representing Hexamind Chess Club, the 18-year-old Indian talent faced off against the Chinese powerhouse, who was playing for the WR Chess Team. In an electrifying 74-move encounter, Divya outsmarted Yifan, who made a crucial error by losing her bishop in a theoretically drawn rook vs. bishop endgame. 'Congratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No. 1, Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Her success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future endeavours," PM Modi wrote on X. Congratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No. 1, Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Her success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2025 In the blitz format, Divya secured six wins, one draw, and only one loss out of eight games, achieving an impressive performance rating of 2606. She subsequently excelled in the third-place playoff, leading her team to a 3.5–2.5 victory over Uzbekistan in both rounds to clinch the team bronze medal. Checkmate ♟️ !Heartiest congratulations to our chess star Divya Deshmukh on her stunning win over World No. 1 Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of the Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships in London. Wishing you the very best for the future games. — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) June 18, 2025 In the rapid format, Divya achieved five wins, six draws, and just one loss, securing team silver and an individual bronze on Board 6, with a performance rating of 2420. The third edition of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships took place in London from June 10 to 16. The total prize fund was 500,000 euros; 310,000 euros for the rapid tournament and 190,000 euros for the blitz. First Published: June 19, 2025, 15:40 IST