Indian chess prodigies D Gukesh and Divya Deshmukh delivered a stellar performance at the European Chess Club Cup in Rhodes, Greece, clinching gold medals in their respective sections and signalling strong form ahead of the Chess World Cup 2025 in Goa.
Gukesh, the reigning World Champion, dominated the top board, leading his team, SuperChess, to the championship. His victory marks a welcome turnaround after a challenging year in which he experienced mixed results across major tournaments, including the Tata Masters, Paris leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, Romania leg of the Grand Chess Tour, and Norway Chess. Despite recent setbacks, he defeated elite competitors, including Magnus Carlsen, highlighting his enduring skill and resilience.
In the women’s section, Divya Deshmukh emerged victorious on the second board, helping her team, Cercle d’échecs de Monte Carlo, claim the title. As the sole female representative from India in the upcoming World Cup, her performance provides a significant confidence boost ahead of the prestigious event.
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The European Club Cup, a high-level continental competition, brings together top players from across Europe and beyond, offering a platform for competitive team chess alongside individual brilliance. India’s success at the event underscores the country’s rising stature in global chess, particularly among its younger generation of talent.
The Chess World Cup 2025, scheduled from October 31 to November 27 in Goa, will feature 24 Indian participants, including top seeds Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa. Performance in the World Cup will also determine qualifications for the 2026 Candidates, making it a crucial stage for India’s aspirants.
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