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Divya Deshmukh keeping title hopes alive in Norway Chess (Img: Dynamite News)
Norway: Indian chess star Divya Deshmukh continued her impressive campaign at Norway Chess Women 2026, remaining firmly in contention for the title after seven rounds of competition.
Divya is currently placed second in the women’s standings, trailing Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva by just 2.5 points. The Indian star once again delivered a composed performance in Round 7 against veteran compatriot Koneru Humpy.
Playing with the black pieces, Divya gained a noticeable advantage early in the game and looked in control through key stages of the middle game. However, the contest eventually ended in a draw after a tense battle on the board.
Rising star Divya Deshmukh continues to make India proud at Norway Chess 2026!
Young, fearless and unstoppable- Divya’s stellar run has the entire nation cheering for its newest chess sensation. #DivyaDeshmukh #NorwayChess2026 #Chess #IndianChess pic.twitter.com/hZnkWa4eXi
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) June 2, 2026
Despite not securing a full-point win, the result strengthened Divya’s position among the tournament frontrunners. Her calm approach and consistent performances have made her one of the standout players of the event, especially considering this is her debut appearance at Norway Chess Women.
Koneru Humpy, meanwhile, remains at the bottom of the standings after seven rounds.
In the open category, reigning world champion D Gukesh dropped to the last spot in the standings after missing a winning opportunity against American grandmaster Wesley So.
Norway Chess: D Gukesh beats Nakamura to get campaign back on track
Gukesh controlled much of the classical game and held a pawn advantage from the early stages, but was unable to convert the position into a victory as severe time pressure affected the closing phase. The game eventually ended in a draw. However, the Indian teenager bounced back in the Armageddon tie-break and defeated Wesley So to collect extra points.
Despite being sixth in the standings, Gukesh remains only 4.5 points behind leader Wesley So, keeping the title race wide open heading into the remaining rounds. Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa climbed higher in the standings after registering a classical win over Alireza Firouzja.
