‘Incredible’ is the only word that can describe the way chess in India has progressed, particularly in recent times. For a long time, it was a one-man show led by Viswanathan Anand, who inspired a generation of champions now vying with each other for a place at the top. According to current world champion D. Gukesh, the Covid era accelerated this growth, as being indoors brought increased attention to the sport. With Anand launching an academy and bringing in a sense of structure and organisation, momentum picked up—and today, an entire army of Indian chess stars has emerged to take the global stage by storm. Without doubt, the sport in India has never had it so good.

The juggernaut had begun to roll last year, when both the men’s and women’s teams completed a unique double at the FIDE Chess Olympiad held in Budapest. Then came D. Gukesh, who stunned the world and sent India into ecstasy by winning the world title, defeating reigning champion Ding Liren of China in Singapore. He became the youngest-ever player to achieve this feat. Shortly thereafter, the seasoned Koneru Humpy clinched the World Rapid title.

What has brought the spotlight back on Indian chess once again is Divya Deshmukh, a 19-year-old from Nagpur. Divya, who was part of the women’s team at the Budapest Olympiad, claimed centre stage this time in........

© Mathrubhumi English