PM Modi Applauds 19 Year Old Divya Deshmukh for Stunning Win Over World's Top Woman Chess Player

By: WE staff | Friday, 20 June 2025

• Divya Deshmukh, 19, received praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for her outstanding chess accomplishment
• At the World Blitz and Rapid Team Championships in London, Divya shocked Hou Yifan of China, the top-ranked women's chess player in the world

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the list of leaders who praised 19-year-old Nagpur chess sensation Divya Deshmukh for her incredible upset victory over world No. 1 women's chess player Hou Yifan at the World Blitz and Rapid Team Championships in London.

Hou, playing for the Hexamind Chess Club, lost to world junior No. 1 and International Master Divya in a tense 74-move match during the blitz semifinal round. She took home three medals from the rapid and blitz competitions.

Earlier in the week, Minister of State for Sports Raksha Khadse, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Nagpur MP Nitin Gadkari were among the first to congratulate her, citing TOI’s report. By Thursday, Modi had also acknowledged her historic feat.

Sharing his message on X the Prime Minister wrote “Divya’s success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future endeavours.”The news attracted a flurry of media to Divya's Shankar Nagar residence. To this, she had the following to say:"PM Modi sir's words are very encouraging and motivational. They encourage me to work more hard and bring more medals to India."

Devendra also complimented her on her exceptional feat, deeming it as a victory greater than one "Here is the announcement to the world that India's young potential has been ready to dominate international platforms. Indian chess has a new queen, and she hails from Nagpur." Divya's triumph has not just catapulted her individual career but has also generated national pride and reviving interest in chess from across India.