He also extended warm praise to finalist Koneru Humpy, underscoring her enduring legacy. With chess rising under India’s mind sports renaissance, Jha’s remarks signal a new era of global ambition.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, July 29, 2025 — Nandan Jha, President of the International Mind Sports Association (IMSA), has lauded Indian Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh for her historic victory at the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup. In a personal gesture reflecting his deep commitment to the sport, Jha also reached out by phone to finalist Koneru Humpy, praising her for her resilient performance and invaluable contribution to Indian chess.
“Divya’s win is not just a personal triumph but a defining moment for Indian chess,” said Nandan Jha. “She played with extraordinary composure and strategic brilliance throughout the tournament. Her victory sends a powerful message to young minds across the country — that India is a force to be reckoned with on the global chessboard.”
READ: Divya Deshmukh Defeats Koneru Humpy In Tie-Breaker To Win FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup!
Jha also had warm words for Humpy, who finished runner-up in a closely fought final.
“Humpy has been a trailblazer for Indian chess. Her determination, even under immense pressure, was remarkable. I told her during our call that her legacy continues to inspire generations of players.”
🏆 The winner of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 – Divya Deshmukh 🇮🇳
🥇 Divya Deshmukh 🇮🇳
🥈 Humpy Koneru 🇮🇳
🥉 Tan Zhongyi 🇨🇳#FIDEWorldCup pic.twitter.com/FaEtlL4VAI— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 28, 2025
Chess is one of the nine mind sports affiliated with IMSA, and Nandan Jha has played a pivotal role in promoting it through the SOG Grandmaster Series, an initiative by the Skillhub Online Games Federation (SOGF) — of which Jha is the Founder-Chairman. The SOGF organised four high-profile events in the last six months in Bangalore, Mumbai, Gurugram, and Chennai.
“I’m happy that chess legends like Humpy are part of our organization as our Brand Ambassador of SOGF. Her presence brings credibility and inspiration to the Grandmaster Series,” Jha said.
Koneru Humpy was appointed Brand Ambassador of the SOG Grandmaster Series by SOGF on March 2, 2025, as reported by Lokmat Times.
Jha also called A.K. Verma, Chief Operating Officer of the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and congratulated him for the achievements of the Indian players during the last few months. .
“I congratulated Mr. Verma on the federation’s efforts. The strides Indian players are making — from juniors to seasoned grandmasters — are nothing short of phenomenal,” he shared.
As India continues to surge ahead in the world of international mind sports, the combined efforts of visionary leaders, strong institutions, and world-class players are shaping a new era of intellectual excellence — with India at its forefront.
