Chess Prodigy Faustino Oro Stuns Indian IM Divya Deshmukh: Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa Left in Awe

The ongoing Tata Chess Masters witnessed a remarkable moment as 11-year-old Faustino Oro from Argentina stunned 19-year-old Indian International Master (IM) Divya Deshmukh, leaving world champions D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa in awe.

Faustino, known as the ‘Messi of Chess’ for his exceptional talent, became the youngest IM in 2024 at the age of just 10 years, eight months, and 16 days. Despite his record being broken since then, Faustino continues to impress with his skills on the chessboard.

During their own intense matches at the tournament, Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa paused to witness Faustino’s victory over Deshmukh, showcasing their admiration for the young prodigy’s talent.

Faustino gained attention in 2024 when he defeated world No.1 Magnus Carlsen in a weekly Bullet Brawl tournament. He also achieved a 2300 rating in the classical format, making him the youngest player to do so at that time.

On the other hand, Deshmukh is a top female player in India, with multiple gold medals at prestigious events like the Olympiad, Asian Championship, World Junior Championship, and World Youth Championship. She has also achieved success in national and international competitions, showcasing her prowess on the chessboard.

Despite being the bottom seed at the 2023 Tata Steel India Chess Tournament, Deshmukh emerged victorious in the rapid section, defeating strong opponents and proving her skills as a formidable chess player.

The encounter between Faustino Oro and Divya Deshmukh at the Tata Chess Masters highlighted the talent and potential of young chess players, captivating the attention of seasoned champions like Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa.