Divya Deshmukh's Thrilling Journey at Norway Chess 2026

Divya Deshmukh's debut at Norway Chess 2026 has been a mix of triumph and challenge. After a stunning victory over World Champion Ju Wenjun, she faced the pressure of consecutive Armageddon matches. As she navigates the tournament's unique format, Deshmukh reflects on the physical and mental toll of competing against elite players. With the tournament gaining visibility in India, she expresses gratitude for the growing popularity of chess in her country. Discover more about her journey and insights as she continues to compete.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 29, 2026, 13:28 IST

An Exciting Start for Divya Deshmukh

Divya Deshmukh's inaugural participation in the Norway Chess 2026 has been quite the adventure. The 20-year-old Indian Grandmaster made headlines in the first round by achieving a stunning victory over the reigning Women's World Champion and current World No. 1, Ju Wenjun. However, the excitement from that initial win was soon overshadowed by the demanding nature of the tournament's format. With the unique rules requiring that any drawn classical game be resolved through a high-stakes Armageddon match, Divya found herself in a challenging situation. After drawing her latest classical game, she faced her third consecutive Armageddon match, which unfortunately resulted in a defeat against Anna Muzychuk on May 28.

"The classical game went well. Both of us played solidly, and there wasn't much action on the board. However, the tiebreaker slipped away during the tense final moments. I believe both of us had opportunities at different points, but I need to analyze it further to understand better," Deshmukh shared in a conversation with Sports Now.

The mental and physical strain of competing in three back-to-back tiebreakers against top-tier players is significant. When asked about her anticipation for the upcoming rest day, Deshmukh replied, "Very much so, because three Armageddons are quite exhausting. I hope the next match doesn't go to Armageddon."

Norway Chess 2026 R. Praggnanandhaa opens up to @karishmasingh22 on his matches at Norway Chess, intense time scrambles, and what rest days really look like — from recovery to rare behind-the-scenes moments off the board. | WATCH pic.twitter.com/EsAqCQyUfk
— News Media (@TimesNow) May 29, 2026

Chess Gaining Popularity in India

'Love That Chess Is Being So Popularized'

For the first time, the renowned Norway Chess tournament is being aired live on television in India. Divya Deshmukh expressed that this increased exposure is a significant advancement for the game's popularity in a country that is currently a powerhouse in the global chess arena. "I love that chess is being so popularized, and it's having a positive impact on the athletes as well," she noted. "It's uplifting our spirits and is quite motivating. I am very thankful to India," the young player added.

Divya's Focus on the Game

Why Did Divya Deshmukh Skip the Confession Booth?

Although Divya Deshmukh has yet to identify her favorite moment from the tournament, her concentration remains firmly on her matches. So much so that she opted to skip the tournament's well-known "confession booth" during her latest game. Her reasoning was both practical and humorously self-critical: "I didn't go today. I didn't have any time. Plus, my game was too dull. What would I even say?" she concluded.