gradientz.com – Global Reports & Smart Opinions

Gukesh Dommaraju and Divya Deshmukh, Indian chess prodigies, faced off at the FIDE Grand Swiss in Uzbekistan. Their first classical format encounter ended in a draw after a 103-move battle. Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay analysed the game, highlighting Divya's unusual opening and Gukesh's missed opportunities. With the draw, Gukesh, undergoing a slump, fell out of the top 10 in live ratings.

Gukesh D and Divya Deshmukh drew in a lengthy endgame, while Nihal Sarin secured a quick draw, sharing the lead in the FIDE Grand Swiss. R Vaishali lost her lead in the women's section after a defeat, and Vidit Gujrathi was also defeated. Kateryna Lagno now leads the women's section with 6.5 points, holding a half-point advantage.

At the FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand, Indian chess presents a contrasting picture. Nihal Sarin shines, securing his third consecutive win and joining the lead. Meanwhile, World Champion D Gukesh struggles, losing his third straight game and risking a drop from the top 10. Despite Nihal's success, he humbly credits Viswanathan Anand and Gukesh for India's chess boom.

Facing Amin’s king’s pawn opening, Divya Deshmukh responded with the Sicilian Defence, steering the battle into the sharp Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack territory. The Egyptian pressed early, but as the game wore on, the momentum began shifting.

Indian Grand Master Divya Deshmukh is participating in the FIDE Grand Swiss tournament in Samarkand. Despite an opening round defeat by her mentor Abhimanyu Puranik, the 19-year-old rebounded with a draw against Alexander Donchenko. Divya emphasizes learning over winning, stating that losses against strong players provide valuable lessons.

The FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 in Samarkand will feature World Champion D Gukesh and Women’s World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh, alongside a strong Indian contingent. Gukesh aims to maintain momentum, while Deshmukh seeks to test herself against top players. With Candidates spots and significant prize money at stake, the tournament promises intense competition and a showcase of India's chess talent.

A video shows a Chinese man analysing his chess loss in the rain. Grandmaster Hans Niemann shared a similar experience. Anish Giri joked about his rain-free victory. Niemann criticised the American chess system, praising India's support for players. Divya Deshmukh received a Rs 3 crore prize for her chess achievements. Chess passion continues to inspire globally.

India’s Divya Deshmukh sparked laughs with her “No jeans!” rule-change joke, recalling Magnus Carlsen’s 2024 dress code controversy. Carlsen famously refused to change his Corneliani jeans, was fined, and later auctioned them for $36,100. Proceeds went to Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, turning a quirky chess moment into a powerful charitable milestone.

A grandmaster chess tournament in New Delhi emphasises silence and concentration, contrasting sharply with the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas, where spectators reacted boisterously to moves. Players expressed frustration with the distractions caused by the live audience, questioning whether chess is truly ready for such an environment.