Latest news with #WorldChessChampionship
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Daughter of Nagpur': CM says govt will honour Divya Deshmukh
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Monday announced that state government will honour Divya Deshmukh from Nagpur, who won the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup and earned the grandmaster title. 'Chess player Divya Deshmukh, a daughter of Nagpur and Maharashtra, has won the World Chess Championship title in her teenage years and earned the 'Grandmaster' title. Her achievement is a matter of great pride. The state government will duly honor her,' Fadnavis told mediapersons at his official residence in Nagpur. The 19-year-old Divya achieved this significant feat by defeating Indian chess player Koneru Humpy in the final in Georgia. Fadnavis mentioned that Divya Deshmukh participated in this competition for the second time and reached the pinnacle of success. Earlier, talking to The Indian Express, Anju Bhutani, former principal and current academic coordinator with the management at Bhavan's Bhagwandas Purohit Vidya Mandir where Divya studied, said, 'I am elated and very happy to know that she is the world champion. She had the potential in her. Her winning spree had started when she was five or six years old. I had the feeling that she will make it big one day in life.' Divya's grandmother, Dr Kamal Deshmukh, shared her joy saying, 'This still feels unbelievable. Divya has put in so much hard work, and nothing comes without it. What sets her apart is her incredible focus and dedication.' She added, 'We are truly touched by the love and congratulations pouring in. When she comes home, we'll welcome her just the way we welcome our daughter, with all our hearts.'
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
22-07-2025
- Sport
- First Post
'Beating Zhu Jiner gave me confidence': Divya Deshmukh reflects on historic Chess World Cup run, credits mother's support
Indian teenage chess star Divya Deshmukh added a new chapter to her rising reputation on Monday, becoming only the second Indian to reach the semi-finals of the FIDE Women's World Cup. She reflects on her mother's support and the key factors behind her memorable run. read more Divya Deshmukh is only the second Indian to reach the semi-finals of FIDE Women's World Cup. Images: FIDE Teenage sensation Divya Deshmukh doubled India's delight at the ongoing FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 by becoming the second Indian woman ever to qualify for the semi-finals. The 19-year-old International Master from Nagpur, Maharashtra, defeated compatriot Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli 2-0 in a thrilling rapid tiebreak in Batumi on Monday after their quarter-final match ended in a draw. Divya will join veteran Koneru Humpy in the semi-finals, making it the first time India will have two players in the last four stage of a FIDE Women's World Cup. Humpy will face top seed Lei Tingjie of China in her semi-final, while Divya will be up against Tan Zhongyi, also from China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The top three players from the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 will be guaranteed a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which will be played to find the challenger for the World Chess Championship. With two semi-finalists, India are guaranteed at least one spot. Divya Deshmukh reaches World Cup final 4 The impact of the history-making feat was quite evident on Divya's face as she defeated Harika. The teenager took a while to compose herself and recollect her thoughts. In a candid chat with Woman International Master Charlize van Zyl, Divya shared that he was still shaking from the memorable win. 'Very shaky,' she told FIDE. 'I think I am happy with the way I played. I don't think the last game went well but, not really (worried)…My preparation had a lot of role in that game and I would like to thank my coach for that.' 🇮🇳 Divya Deshmukh is through to the semifinals of the 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup!#FIDEWorldCup @DivyaDeshmukh05 — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 21, 2025 Divya has, of course, successfully crossed multiple odds to reach the semi-finals. Reflecting on her history-making journey, Divya said that the tiebreak win over second seed Zhiu Jiner of China in Round 4 of the tournament gave her the required confidence. 'Zhu Jiner was definitely my toughest opponent up to now and winning the tiebreak against her gave me confidence for this one. I didn't want to play tiebreaks but this is my fate, and for the moment it's going well' Divya added. In a separate social media post by FIDE, Divya spoke about her mother and how her support has helped her go this deep in the tournament. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD "She is the biggest support here. I don't think that I would have come this far without her. It's really nice to see somebody who's always cheering on you in your good times and bad times." - 🇮🇳 Divya Deshmukh on her mother 📷 Anna Shtourman/FIDE — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 21, 2025 'She is the biggest support here. I don't think that I would have come this far without her. It's really nice to see somebody who's always cheering on you in your good times and bad times.'
India.com
21-07-2025
- Sport
- India.com
India to Host 2025 FIDE Chess World Cup From October 30 To November 27; Host City Yet To Be Announced
India is set to host the prestigious FIDE Chess World Cup 2025, marking a historic return of the global event to Indian soil after more than two decades. The tournament will be held from October 30 to November 27, with the host city yet to be officially announced. 206 Players to Battle in Knockout Format The tournament will feature 206 of the world's best players, all vying for the coveted title and qualification spots for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament the gateway to the World Chess Championship. This format has been in place since 2021, where each round is a single-elimination knockout. Each round will span three days, comprising two classical games on the first two days and, if necessary, tie-breaks on the third day. The top 50 seeds receive first-round byes, while players ranked 51 to 206 will compete in round one, following a format of top-half vs reversed lower-half matchups. Three Candidates Spots Up for Grabs FIDE confirmed that the top three finishers of the 2025 World Cup will earn direct qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which ultimately decides the next challenger for the World Chess Championship crown. Top Indian Stars and Magnus Carlsen in Action The upcoming World Cup will see the participation of several top Indian chess stars, including: D Gukesh, the reigning world champion, R Praggnanandhaa, the 2023 World Cup runner-up, and Arjun Erigaisi, currently ranked world number five. Magnus Carlsen, the world number one and 2023 World Cup winner, has also qualified for this edition, ensuring a stellar lineup for fans to look forward to. India's Growing Footprint in International Chess India last hosted the FIDE World Cup in 2002 in Hyderabad, where chess legend Viswanathan Anand won the title. Since then, the country has emerged as a global hub for major chess events. In recent years, India has successfully organized: The 2022 Chess Olympiad, Tata Steel Chess India, The 2024 World Junior U20 Championships, and The 5th leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix. FIDE Hails India's Passion for Chess In the official announcement, FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky expressed excitement over India hosting the event: 'We are thrilled to bring the FIDE World Cup 2025 to India, a country with a deep-rooted passion and support for chess. Indian chess fans' enthusiasm has always been remarkable, and we anticipate great interest in the event among local chess lovers, both on-site and online.' This edition of the FIDE World Cup promises to be a landmark event, not just for Indian chess, but for global fans who can expect high-stakes battles between the finest minds in the game.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
21-07-2025
- Sport
- First Post
‘FIDE can't accept Magnus has moved on': Nakamura explains how FIDE is still trying to lure Carlsen back to World Chess Championship
If Hikaru Nakamura is to be believed, FIDE is still hoping that Magnus Carlsen will make a U-turn and compete in the World Chess Championship. According to Nakamura, that's the only reason the rating spot in the Candidates Tournament still exists. read more Magnus Carlsen returning to the World Chess Championship cycle will be a mega boost to the classical format. Image: Freestyle Chess American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has criticised the FIDE rating spot qualifying route for the Candidates and feels that the rating spot method has been kept alive by the International Chess Federation to lure Magnus Carlsen back to compete in the World Chess Championship. The FIDE rating spot is one of the many ways to qualify for the FIDE Candidates chess tournament. The winner of the Candidates goes on to compete against the world champion in the World Chess Championship. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The FIDE rating spot will be awarded to the highest-rated player according to the six-month average rating based on FIDE Standard Rating Lists from 1 August 2025 to 1 January 2026. The player would also have to fulfill other criteria like playing at least 40 games calculated for FIDE Standard Rating Lists from 1 February 2025 to 1 January 2026 (including at least 15 games in any of the 6 consecutive rating lists). FIDE wants Carlsen to fight for world title? Nakamura, who is close friends with world No.1 Carlsen, feels the only reason FIDE is still pursuing the rating spot qualification method is that they want to keep an option for the five-time world champion in case he decides to make a U-turn. Carlsen has in the past announced that he is not interested in taking part in the World Chess Championship. 'I've said that there are many things over the last couple of years that FIDE has gotten wrong and one of the big things is there should not be a rating spot. I think having a rating spot is a huge mistake,' Nakamura told Chessbase India. Also Read | Magnus's menace: How young Indian Grandmasters are proving to be his toughest challengers 'It maybe is not politically correct to say this, but my view about the rating spot, it's simply, you know, 'we're sorry, Magnus. Here's here's your chance to play the Candidates and become world champion again if you're really interested'. And I don't think there's any other reason that FIDE have the rating spot. I think it's literally on the off chance that Magnus wakes up tomorrow and suddenly he decides that he wants to play classical seriously again,' Nakamura said. 'FIDE, for whatever reason, can't get over the fact that Magnus has moved on from classical chess and he has no interest in the world championship.' Carlsen relinquished the world title in 2022 after holding the crown from 2013. He was succeeded by Ding Liren, who lost to India's D Gukesh in December 2024. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The other qualifying routes for the FIDE Candidates tournament are finishing in the top three in the World Cup, finishing in the top two in the Grand Swiss tournament and finishing at the top of FIDE Circuit points standings.
The Hindu
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
India to host FIDE Chess World Cup in October-November
India will host this year's chess World Cup from October 30 to November 27 with a host city for the event to be named in "due course", the sport's global governing body FIDE announced on Monday (July 21, 2025). The tournament that will see 206 players battling for the coveted title and qualification spots in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. India last hosted the event in 2002 in Hyderabad where Viswanathan Anand won the title. The players will compete in a knockout format, where the losing player in each round is eliminated. ♟ FIDE World Cup 2025 to be hosted in 🇮🇳 India! The prestigious FIDE World Cup is coming to India this year! Scheduled for October 30 to November 27, 2025, the tournament will feature the world's best players battling for the coveted title and qualification spots in the 2026… — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 21, 2025 "The event has used several formats over the years, but since 2021, it has followed a single-elimination format. Each round spans three days: two classical games on the first two days, followed by tie-breaks on the third day, if necessary," FIDE stated. In the first round, the top 50 players receive byes, while players seeded from 51 to 206 compete, with pairings based on the principle of the top half versus the reversed lower half. "The top three finishers of the 2025 World Cup will earn direct qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship," FIDE said. Reigning world champion D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, the runner-up of the 2023 World Cup, and Arjun Erigaisi, currently ranked world number five, are among the stars who would be seen in action. World number one Magnus Carlsen has also qualified to compete in the biennial event that he won in 2023. India has recently hosted major events, including the 2022 Chess Olympiad, Tata Steel Chess India, the 2024 World Junior U20 Championships 2024, and the 5th leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in April this year. "We are thrilled to bring the FIDE World Cup 2025 to India, a country with a deep-rooted passion and support for chess. Indian chess fans' enthusiasm has always been remarkable, and we anticipate great interest in the event among local chess lovers, both on-site and online," FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky said in a press release.
