India’s Divya Deshmukh Thrashes Lei Tingjie 10–3 to Enter Women’s Speed Chess Championship 2025 Quarterfinals
Aug 12, 2025
India’s rising chess star Divya Deshmukh delivered a dominant performance against China’s Lei Tingjie, defeating her 10–3 in the Women’s Speed Chess Championship 2025 to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
The high-intensity online event features 16 of the world’s top women players in a knockout format, with each match consisting of three timed segments — bullet, blitz, and rapid. Divya was in complete control throughout the match, scoring eight wins, four draws, and conceding just one loss.
With this win, Divya advances to face top seed and World No. 1 Hou Yifan, who defeated Russia’s Karina Ambartsumova 11–3 in her Round of 16 match.
Divya’s victory continues a remarkable streak in what has been a career-defining year for the 18-year-old. Just weeks earlier, she claimed the FIDE Women’s World Cup, beating fellow Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy in the final. That win not only earned her a spot in the upcoming Candidates Tournament — the gateway to a World Championship challenge — but also made her the 88th Grandmaster in Indian chess history.
The Women’s Speed Chess Championship is known for its demanding format and rapid-fire pace, testing both reflexes and deep calculation. Divya’s calm under pressure and tactical precision have marked her as one of the most promising young players on the global circuit.
