Divya Deshmukh Secures FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 Open Section Wildcard, Joins Goryachkina

India’s newly minted female Grandmaster, 19-year-old Indian Divya Deshmukh, made a bold move, requesting a FIDE President wildcard to compete in the Open section of the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, set to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 3. Divya, who made headlines in July by winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup and earning her Grandmaster title, will join fellow Women’s Candidates qualifier GM Aleksandra Goryachkina in the prestigious Open section, marking a significant moment for gender inclusivity in the sport.

Divya’s decision to request a wildcard for the Open section, rather than competing in the Women’s Grand Swiss, reflects her ambition to challenge the world’s top players. Her move seems to be inspired by Goryachkina, who has also opted for the Open section after she secured her Candidates qualification. Both players aim to test their skills against a field that includes elite grandmasters, including the current World Champion, Gukesh D. It should be noted that both these players will go into the Open section as underdogs. Even though Divya and Goryachkina had a better shot at more prize money by taking part in the women’s section, the two ambitious women chose to fight in the stronger field in an attempt to prove their mettle and become even stronger chess players.

The FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 is a critical qualifier for the World Chess Championship 2026, with the top two finishers earning spots in the Candidates Tournament, and Divya and Goryachkina’s presence not only challenges stereotypes but also inspires future generations of female players to aim for the top. As the chess world watches, Samarkand will be the stage for their bold pursuit of excellence.

Photo courtesy: International Federation of Chess (FIDE)