Gukesh, Divya Shine at European Club Cup Ahead of Chess World Cup 2025
Rhodes (Greece), October 26, 2025:
Indian chess stars D. Gukesh and Divya Deshmukh delivered stellar performances at the European Club Cup 2025, held in Rhodes, Greece, clinching individual gold medals and leading their respective teams to championship victories. The impressive results come just days before the Chess World Cup 2025, scheduled to take place in Goa from October 31 to November 27, and mark a promising start for India’s top players ahead of the global tournament.
Gukesh Clinches Gold, SuperChess Crowned Champions
Reigning World Champion D. Gukesh struck gold on the top board while guiding his team SuperChess to the overall title. The 19-year-old prodigy displayed commanding form throughout the tournament, overcoming several elite European grandmasters and reaffirming his strength on the world stage.
Gukesh’s triumph is especially significant as he seeks to regain consistency following a challenging year. Despite an impressive 2024 that culminated in his historic World Championship win, 2025 has tested the young champion with fluctuating performances.
At the Tata Steel Masters 2025, Gukesh narrowly lost to compatriot R. Praggnanandhaa in a tie-breaker for the title. He later competed in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, finishing eighth in the inaugural edition and eleventh in the Paris leg. His performances in the Grand Chess Tour 2025 (Romania leg) and Norway Chess 2025 — where he finished sixth and third respectively — reflected flashes of brilliance, including a notable victory over Magnus Carlsen.
Most recently, Gukesh also defeated Carlsen in the Rapid section of SuperUnited Croatia 2025, reinforcing his credentials as one of the most dynamic talents in the modern chess circuit.
His latest gold medal at the European Club Cup therefore comes as a timely confidence booster, particularly with the World Cup just around the corner.
Divya Deshmukh Strikes Gold in Women’s Event
In the women’s section, Divya Deshmukh continued India’s winning run by claiming gold on the second board, steering her team Cercle d’échecs de Monte Carlo to the championship.
The 19-year-old Nagpur-born International Master is currently India’s top female prospect and the only woman competitor from India set to feature in the upcoming Chess World Cup 2025. Her strong showing in Greece highlights her preparedness for the high-stakes tournament in Goa, where she will be aiming to make a deep run against a highly competitive field.
Divya’s controlled play and sharp endgame strategy have drawn praise from experts, many of whom view her as a future leader of Indian women’s chess. Her gold medal also underlines India’s growing dominance across both men’s and women’s divisions in international chess.
Chess World Cup 2025: India’s Strong Contingent
The upcoming FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 in Goa promises to be one of the most exciting tournaments in recent years, featuring 24 Indian players. Gukesh enters as the top seed, followed by Arjun Erigaisi and R. Praggnanandhaa, who are seeded second and third respectively.
The tournament not only carries prestige but also high stakes — the winner, runner-up, and third-place finisher will secure qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the event that decides the next challenger for the World Championship title.
India’s hosting of the World Cup is also a milestone for the nation’s chess scene, which continues to grow rapidly with a new generation of players achieving global success.
A Resilient Return to Form
For Gukesh, the victory in Rhodes serves as a vital moment of renewal. After the pressures of his World Championship victory and a demanding 2025 calendar, this triumph highlights his ability to rebound under pressure and deliver when it matters most.
His team, SuperChess, dominated the competition through strategic precision and team synergy, underscoring the rise of Indian representation in top-tier international club events.
Similarly, Divya’s gold adds another jewel to India’s crown, reinforcing the nation’s emergence as a chess powerhouse with both men and women performing at elite levels.
Why It Matters
The strong showings by Gukesh and Divya Deshmukh in Greece serve as a morale booster not only for the players themselves but also for the entire Indian contingent heading into the World Cup. Their performances reflect the depth of India’s chess ecosystem — from grassroots training to world-class competition — and signal that the nation’s young stars are ready to challenge the best on home soil.
Moreover, as chess continues to gain popularity across India, such international triumphs provide fresh inspiration for aspiring players, reinforcing the country’s growing dominance in the global chess landscape.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
As India prepares to host the Chess World Cup 2025, victories by D. Gukesh and Divya Deshmukh at the European Club Cup set the perfect tone for what promises to be an electrifying tournament. Gukesh’s gold reflects his resilience as a world champion rediscovering top form, while Divya’s success underscores India’s depth in women’s chess.
With 24 Indian players ready to compete on home turf, the nation stands united behind its young stars — a generation redefining the boundaries of global chess excellence.