As the prestigious 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament gets underway in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, all eyes are on India’s teenage chess prodigies, World Champion D Gukesh and Women’s World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh, who are making headlines not just for their participation but for the bold paths they’ve chosen on the global stage.
Gukesh in Action Despite Ineligibility for Candidates
At just 19, Gukesh enters the event as the reigning World Champion. Although ineligible for the 2026 Candidates Tournament due to his champion status, Gukesh has opted to compete in the Grand Swiss to maintain a competitive rhythm and silence critics questioning the legitimacy of his world title.
His participation also serves as critical preparation for the FIDE World Cup, set to be held in Goa later this year, where top performers will earn berths for the 2026 Candidates.
Divya Deshmukh Makes History in Open Section
Equally noteworthy is Divya Deshmukh’s decision to play in the open section of the tournament, making her the only Indian female player in that category. Already qualified for the Women’s Candidates Tournament, the 19-year-old Nagpur-based WGM is taking on higher-rated opposition in a bid to push her limits and target the elite 2700 Elo mark, an extremely rare feat in women’s chess.
Speaking before the tournament, Divya expressed her intent to “challenge herself against the strongest players in the world” and contribute to India’s growing influence on the global chess scene.
India’s Growing Chess Footprint
India has fielded a strong contingent of 15 players at the event, underlining its emergence as a chess powerhouse. With young stars like Gukesh and Divya at the forefront, the tournament reflects both individual ambition and a broader national resurgence in international chess.
As the rounds progress, all eyes will be on the Indian duo, symbols of a new generation eager to redefine global chess dominance.
