Indian Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh, 19, has been invited to the Norway Chess Women tournament in Oslo, marking her as the youngest participant since its 2024 launch. Following a stellar 2025 season where she won the FIDE Women’s World Cup and earned the GM title, she joins Bibisara Assaubayeva and Anna Muzychuk in the six-player field. The event, set for May 25 to June 5, underscores growing gender equality in elite chess.
Divya Deshmukh's invitation to Norway Chess Women 2026 highlights India's rising prowess in global chess. At 19, the Indian prodigy becomes the youngest to compete in the women's event since its inception in 2024. Her selection follows a breakthrough 2025, during which she clinched the FIDE Women’s World Cup, secured the Grandmaster title—making her the fourth Indian woman to do so—and qualified for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament. Deshmukh has also excelled internationally, winning individual and team gold medals at the recent Chess Olympiad.
The tournament, held alongside the main Norway Chess event, features a six-player double round-robin format with the same playing conditions and prize fund as the open section, setting a benchmark for gender equality. Organizers have announced Bibisara Assaubayeva, the reigning World Blitz champion, and defending champion Anna Muzychuk as other participants, with three more to be revealed soon. In the open category, Magnus Carlsen, Praggnanandhaa R. Praggnanandhaa, and Vincent Keymer are confirmed.
Norway Chess, a premier classical tournament over the past decade, will take place from May 25 to June 5 at Deichman Bjørvika in Oslo. Deshmukh expressed enthusiasm in a statement: “I’m incredibly excited to be competing in Norway Chess. It’s my first time in the country, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what Norway is like. I can’t wait to experience this unique format and compete in such a prestigious tournament. To all the fans rooting for me, thank you for the love and encouragement, see you all there!”
Benedicte Westre Skog, COO of Norway Chess, praised the addition: “India continues to produce outstanding young chess talent, and Divya is a great example of that momentum. We’re delighted to welcome her to Norway Chess Women and look forward to engaging a growing Indian chess audience as she makes her debut in Oslo.”
Launched in 2024, Norway Chess Women has established itself as a key platform for elite female players, fostering competitive visibility and parity in professional chess.
