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- Entertainment
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Explained: How Divya Deshmukh became Grandmaster without fulfilling all FIDE norms and rating requirements
Divya Deshmukh made history on Monday by winning the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 and becoming India's 88th Grandmaster. She won the GM title without meeting the usual norms or rating criteria. Here's how she achieved the feat. read more 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh created history on Monday, 28 July by winning the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia, becoming the first-ever Indian to win the title. She defeated her senior and one of India's most respected players, Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, in a tense final that went down to the wire. With this win, Divya also earned the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title, something very few players in the world have achieved. She became the 88th Grandmaster from India and only the fourth Indian woman to reach that level after Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, and R Vaishali. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read: Divya Deshmukh fights back tears, shares emotional hug with mother after FIDE Women's World Cup win; watch video How did Divya become a GM without fulfilling the usual rules? Becoming a Grandmaster in chess is not easy. A player must earn three GM norms in official FIDE-rated tournaments and cross a rating of 2500 at some point in their career. Divya entered the World Cup without a GM norm and her rating was below 2500. So, she didn't meet these requirements. However, there's a special rule in chess that made her achievement possible. It is known as the Direct Title rule. What is a Direct Title? The International Chess Federation, also known as FIDE, allows certain achievements to automatically grant a player the GM title. These are called Direct Titles. Winning tournaments like the Chess World Cup, Continental Championships and the Women's World Cup can directly qualify a player for the GM title without needing to complete norms or rating. So, by winning the FIDE Women's World Cup, Divya earned an automatic Grandmaster title. That's why she doesn't need to wait for two more norms or to cross 2500 anymore. How the final went down The final against Humpy was anything but easy. Both classical games ended in a draw. In the first rapid tiebreak game, Divya had the white pieces but couldn't make the most of it, and it ended in a draw after 81 moves. But in the second rapid game, Humpy made a few blunders under time pressure after 75 moves, and Divya was able to seal the win and with it the grand prize. With it came the cherry on top - the GM title.
Qatar Tribune
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Preparations continue for 2025 World Rapid and Blitz Chess C‘ships in Qatar
QNA Doha Executive Director of Qatar Chess Association (QCA), Hamad Al Tamimi has affirmed that preparations are going on to host a distinguished edition of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championship for men and women, set to take place in Doha from December 25 to 31. In his remarks on Thursday, Tamimi noted that the tournament is expected to feature the participation of approximately 350 top-ranked players from around the world. The total prize pool stands at one million euros, 700,000 euros allocated to the open category (equally divided between the rapid and blitz formats), and 300,000 euros for the women's category, also equally divided. He stressed QCA's commitment to delivering an outstanding edition of the championship across all levels, building on its previous successful hosting of the event in 2016. Speaking about the QCA's strategic plans and tournament calendar, Al Tamimi stated: 'We have set several objectives and plans aimed at expanding the base of Chess participation across the country. To that end, we organized 50 local tournaments in cooperation with various national entities and institutions. Additionally, the second edition of the 'Naqla' school Chess initiative saw the participation of 300 students from public schools, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Youth and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education.' He added: 'We have also made it a priority to organize specialized tournaments in youth centers and clubs, alongside a series of local competitions held at the QCA's training center.' Al Tamimi highlighted the ongoing collaboration with Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, noting that the 2025 Pre-University Education Chess Championship was recently held with the participation of 72 players representing six schools. This tournament is part of the agreement between the Qatar Chess Association and Qatar Foundation, which aims to introduce Chess into schools and academies under the Foundation's umbrella, broaden the base of youth participants in local tournaments, and increase the number of registered and FIDE-rated players. The Executive Director of QCA emphasized that the partnership with Qatar Foundation seeks to achieve several goals, foremost among them promoting Chess culture within the Foundation's schools. This aligns with the Association's broader strategy to develop Chess in Qatar, establish a strong player base, and employ Chess as an educational tool to enhance students' cognitive and mathematical skills, boost self-confidence, and support intellectual development through a scientifically grounded educational initiative. Hamad Al Tamimi also praised the Association's efforts in supporting three Qatari referees, Youssef Khalil Al Muhasnah, Hussein Al Haddad, and Sara Al Mohannadi, who recently obtained their international refereeing licenses. He concluded by highlighting the launch of the Association's summer program at its training center, aimed at broadening the base of Chess participation, discovering emerging talent, attracting new players, and implementing development plans to nurture and refine their skills.
Time of India
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Coimbatore corporation's Smart Chess programme produces its first FIDE-rated player
Coimbatore: A Class VII student of the corporation's SRP Ammaniammal Girls Higher Secondary School in RS Puram, became the first-ever international chess federation (FIDE)-rated chess player from the city corporation's schools. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sreenidhi S, was trained through the chess programme run by the Coimbatore corporation. Sreenidhi delivered an outstanding performance in the 37th Tamil Nadu State Under-13 Open and Girls FIDE Rated Chess Championship 2025, held from May 21 to 25 at Md Sadak Polytechnic College, Keelakarai, Ramanathapuram. Competing against a strong field of FIDE-rated players, Sreenidhi scored 5.5 out of 9 points with a performance rating of 1501, meeting the international rating criteria. She debuted on the June 2025 FIDE rating list with a Standard ELO of 1598 and a Rapid rating of 1465. This achievement is the result of the Smart Chess training programme initiated by the Coimbatore corporation in partnership with Chess Bishop StartUp and powered by the AI-based learning platform Sigaram64, in February this year. "I practice for two hours every day. I'm happy with my performance. Batch-wise training is given to selected students in corporation schools through the chess training programme, and it helped me improve my game. My school has also been very supportive," Sreenidhi said. SA Suryakumar, founder and CEO of Chess Bishop StartUp, said, "We conducted two months of structured online training during school hours, for over 150 students from corporation schools. Additionally, 30 hours of focused, high-intensity coaching was provided to bright students identified through performance metrics. Tournament preparation sessions, including detailed game analysis, were conducted to equip students for real competition environments. This has significantly contributed to their improved performance," he added.
Observer
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Building the Future of Chess in Oman
Oman's chess landscape has steadily transformed over the past decade, evolving from a niche pastime into a vibrant national pursuit characterised by frequent tournaments, emerging talent, and expanding participation. From a handful of informal matches to structured FIDE-rated events, the Sultanate is now firmly establishing itself on the regional chess map. Basma Al Sudairi, Oman Chess Committee Secretary, said: 'It's been incredible to witness the growing enthusiasm for chess across Oman. The increasing number of tournaments, clubs, and school programmes demonstrates just how much the game is taking root in our communities. Our youth are showing real promise — not just in their technical skill, but in their discipline, patience, and strategic thinking. With the right guidance, training, and opportunities, I have no doubt we'll soon see Omani players making their mark on the regional and even international stage.' The 2025 tournament calendar reflects this shift. Early in the year, the Markaz Al Bahja Rapid Chess Tournament in January attracted a strong field of players across different age groups. March brought the high-speed excitement of the Layali Al-Irfan Festival Blitz Chess Championship, while April delivered a trio of major events: the Waterfront FIDE Rapid Open Chess Championship, the 5th Sultan Qaboos University Rapid Tournament, and the Chess Masters Academy Classic Rated Tournament. These events not only offered players the opportunity to improve their global rankings but also saw a record number of participants, showcasing the game's growing appeal. Just a few years ago, chess tournaments in Oman typically attracted between 30 and 50 players, often centred around Muscat-based clubs. Today, many events draw over 100 participants, with diverse representation from schools, universities, and even international residents in Oman. For example, the FIDE World Amateur Chess Championships hosted in Muscat in late 2023 drew over 400 players from more than 60 countries — a milestone that highlighted Oman's organisational capabilities and its rising profile within the global chess community. Female participation has also shown encouraging growth. Events such as the Oman Women's Chess Championship have become regular fixtures, providing dedicated platforms for women and girls to compete and develop their skills. The rise of young players like Rawan Al Balushi, who earned the title of Woman Candidate Master, underscores both the emerging talent and the importance of gender-inclusive opportunities within the chess community. At grassroots level, school initiatives are helping to embed chess into the educational fabric of the country. Tournaments such as the Azzan bin Qais International Schools Championships and various inter-school competitions are introducing children to the game at a young age. These events not only teach the fundamentals of chess but also promote critical thinking, discipline, and patience — skills that benefit beyond the board. Behind this growth is the consistent effort of the Oman Chess Committee (OCC) and academies such as the International Chess Academy of Oman (ICAO). They have developed training programmes, expanded tournament offerings, and modernised the chess experience through digital tools and live broadcasting. Support from institutions such as Sultan Qaboos University and private sponsors has further aided in integrating chess into public and academic spaces. This evolution is about more than just numbers. Chess in Oman is fostering a culture of strategy, focus, and cross-generational engagement. With increasing participation, improved infrastructure, and growing international attention, Oman's chess journey is one of quiet determination — and it has only just begun.
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Ban on chess in Afghanistan: Only the brave may play
Courage, one might imagine, is for an actual combat zone. Not for a game that is, ultimately, only a small-scale simulacrum of a battlefield, with all its strategies and sacrifices. Not so in Afghanistan, it seems, where, following a 'temporary suspension' ordered by the Taliban authorities, chess is a game that only the bravest might play. Afghanistan's chess-playing community has been here before. The game had been banned under the previous Taliban regime that seized power in 1996. Now, as then, the Taliban sees chess as a means of gambling. For Afghanistan's 500-plus community of chess players, however, it was a hard-won link to the wider world, a pathway to prestige and a better life that has now been severed. It was also a reminder of a time, a few decades ago, when the sight of two people absorbed in a game of chess was a common one across Afghanistan. From the sunlit streetside cafes of Kabul to house parties, a chequered board with the accompanying 32 pieces could be relied on for a diversion, even as a community of serious players, supported by the state, competed in tournaments at home and abroad. Following the ouster of the first Taliban government after the US invasion in 2001, chess made a return, with at least four FIDE-rated events in the country taking place in the last two years. The use of the word 'temporary' has fooled no one, especially as no timeline for lifting the ban has been announced, with many professional players leaving the country even before the latest edict. Since the Taliban came back to power in 2021, Afghanistan has been forced to take many steps back, particularly when it comes to the rights of girls and women. The ban on chess is a further regression, with yet another simple freedom taken away from those who have already lost so many of their basic rights and liberties.
