In this interview, Indian chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh discusses her debut with the Alpine APL Pipers in the Global Chess League (GCL), highlighting the team's strong bond and the excitement of defending their title alongside stars like Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Vidit Gujrathi, Humpy Koneru, and Murzin. She praises the GCL as a catalyst for popularising chess in India, noting the growing spectator interest, fan interactions, and the league’s potential to inspire a new generation. Divya emphasizes her commitment to giving back to the chess community through fan engagements such as autographs and photos. She reveals a personal thrill in witnessing flag‑ging moments in the league’s fast‑time control format. The conversation also touches on her recent receipt of the Arjuna Award, which she describes as a motivational boost following a turbulent year, and she reflects on the differing pressures of the GCL versus the upcoming Olympiad in Samarkand, where representing India adds both motivation and pressure. Overall, the interview paints a picture of a young champion eager to contribute to the sport’s growth while navigating high‑level competition.
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Divya, welcome to the Global Chess League. You're playing for the team of Alpine APL Pipers. Excited?
Very.
It's like a wonderful team. I think everyone's looking forward to seeing this team in action. Each player is like a star, you know— Magnus, Anish, Vidit, yourself, Hampi, Murzin. What are your thoughts?
It feels very good, and I'm very excited because we are also the defending champions now, and we want to retain the title. I'm very excited. Excited that I got to be a part of this team. I was secretly hoping to play for Alpine, so it's very nice. And for me, with the team, it's very nice because I already have a bond with them. I've played 2 years with, uh, Murzin, Anish, and Vidit in Hexamine.
Yes.
So it's kind of a Hexamine reunion for us, and I already have a great bond. And of course, Magnus is great, and Humpy Akka also. I've had, uh, I've known her for so many years. Very exciting team, very fun team, and I think we have a very good chance.
You and Hampi will be like teammates for the entire month of September.
Yes, we are going to be teammates for September.
It would be epic here and then Olympiad. Divya, overall the Global Chess League, the other teams are also very strong. You've— you're making your debut. You might have seen a bit of it in the last years. How is your feeling about this entire league and its relevance in the world of chess?
Um, it's very nice to be making a debut, of course. I, I think it's a very good initiative that chess is being promoted overall. Because it's an Indian league, I love that it's being promoted all over India. And so many— I see, I saw a few clips of a lot of audience, they are coming there for their favorite players. And it also makes the audience feel very good that their favorite players are playing and they get to watch them. And because chess is not very much of a spectator sport, it's slowly going towards that area with this tournament. And for the player also, it feels very nice that so many people are there to cheer for you, to support you, and to look at your games. It's a very nice feeling. So I'm very happy that it's being spread all over India. I, I'm very biased. I'm very happy that Indian kids will get to see their favorite players. They will get to meet them, they will get inspired, and hoping this leads to another boom for Indian chess.
You know, whenever fans come, you always take special time out and, you know, you kind of give them autographs, often take pictures. Is there something like your personal thing that someday someone did this with you that you want to give back in this way?
Definitely, I feel like I have a lot to give back to the chess community, and I want to popularize the game as much as I can, and I do whatever is in my capability. So this is one way of me giving back, and it also— it would be a very special memory for both of us, not just them, but also for me. It's a very special memory. I've had a lot of very meaningful and deep interactions with them. It feels very nice. Beautiful.
Divya, I've been asking this question to everyone and to you as well. What is that one thing you are looking forward to in this GCL?
Flagging.
Flagging opponents?
Yes. But there is an increment. I know, but I think it's just 2 seconds. That's not enough.
It's not much.
Yeah, and it's after move 41. So till move 41, you have to survive. I'm looking forward to also just witnessing flagging moments.
Amazing. And Divya, you won the Arjuna Award. That's really amazing. You and Vidit both won it. How did that award feel?
It feels very nice. For me personally, it comes after the World Cup and I haven't had— I have had a topsy-turvy year this time. So it feels very special and it feels like a boost of motivation and inspiration. For Vidit, of course, it's long due and I'm happy he finally got it. Yeah, very, very special.
And lastly, Olympiad is also a team event, and this is also a team event. Of course, formats are different, but would you say like the pressure is very high in Samarkand? Here it's slightly lower.
Yes, I don't think there is any pressure here. And in Samarkand, for me, there is extra motivation, I would say, than pressure because we are representing India. And we want to keep our gold, so we'll do our best, and that's why there is more pressure.
Well, we wish you good luck, firstly for GCL and then for the Olympia. Thank you, Divya.
