Divya Deshmukh

India’s emergence as a global chess powerhouse is accelerating, driven by the rise of elite young talents such as R Praggnanandhaa and Divya Deshmukh. As attention shifts toward the prestigious Candidates Tournament, their performances reflect both competitive excellence and a broader structural evolution within Indian chess. Increased institutional backing, data-driven training, and commercial interest are transforming the sport into a viable high-performance ecosystem.

India’s campaign at the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 entered a pivotal stage in Round 4 as Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Rameshbabu Vaishali secured composed draws in tightly contested matches, maintaining stability in the standings. Meanwhile, Divya Deshmukh faced her first setback in the women’s section, highlighting the intense competitiveness of the tournament. With the first rest day approaching, the results underscore the razor-thin margins that characterize elite-level chess.