India, Aug. 15 -- The recent FIDE Women's Chess World Cup final symbolised India's meteoric rise in the sport in recent years, as veteran Koneru Humpy took on young Divya Deshmukh in Batumi (Georgia). It was an all-Indian final, as Deshmukh scripted a sensational victory, which also saw her become a Grandmaster. Meanwhile, Humpy finished the tournament as runner-up.

Last year in December, we saw D Gukesh become the World Chess Champion, as he beat Ding Liren in the final. Meanwhile, even Humpy won the World Rapid title for the second time in her career. This year, we saw R Praggnanandhaa win the Tata Masters in Wijk aan Zee, as he beat Gukesh in the title-deciding tie-breaker round.

Despite India's recent success, there has been sceptic...