In a historic and unprecedented triumph, Team India secured double gold medals in both the men’s and women’s competitions at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad held in Budapest, Hungary. The Indian contingent displayed remarkable skill and determination, dominating the competition to claim first place in both categories on Sunday.
Men’s Team Victory
The Indian men’s chess team, comprising D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna, delivered an outstanding performance throughout the tournament. In the final round, the team clinched the gold medal by defeating Slovenia with a commanding score of 3.5-0.5. Gukesh and Erigaisi secured crucial victories, giving India an early 2-0 lead. Praggnanandhaa added another win, while Vidit ended his match with a draw, sealing India’s comprehensive victory.
This victory marks a major milestone for Indian chess, showcasing the country’s rising dominance on the international stage. D Gukesh, one of the brightest young talents, won his match against Slovenia’s Vladimir Fedoseev, while Arjun Erigaisi triumphed over Jan Subelj, securing the gold for the Indian team. The team’s captain, Srinath Narayanan, played a pivotal role in guiding the players throughout the tournament.
Women’s Team Triumph
The Indian women’s team also made history by securing their first-ever gold medal at the Chess Olympiad. The team, featuring Harika Dronavalli, R Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agarwal, and Tania Sachdev, outclassed Azerbaijan with an identical score of 3.5-0.5. Harika, Divya, and Vantika all won their respective matches, while Vaishali drew her game against Ulviyya Fataliyeva, cementing India’s dominance.
The women’s team improved on their previous best performance, a bronze medal from the Chennai Olympiad in 2022. Their gold medal win is a testament to the growing strength of Indian women’s chess and their potential to compete at the highest levels of the game.
A Remarkable Journey
India’s journey to the top of the podium in both men’s and women’s chess has been nothing short of remarkable. In the men’s competition, the Indian team consistently performed at a high level, defeating strong teams such as the USA in the 10th round. D Gukesh’s win over world-class player Fabiano Caruana was a standout moment, while Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Gujrathi also played crucial roles.
Although R Praggnanandhaa suffered a rare loss to Wesley So, the team rebounded with Erigaisi’s win against Leinier Perez and Vidit’s draw against Levon Aronian. This resilience was key to India maintaining their top position on the leaderboard with 19 match points after 10 rounds.
India’s Chess Legacy
India’s previous best performances at the Chess Olympiad included two bronze medals in 2014 and 2022. The country also shared the gold with Russia in an online Olympiad during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, the double gold in Budapest represents the highest achievement in the country’s chess history, cementing India’s position as a global chess powerhouse.
The chess world has taken note of India’s rising talents, including prodigies like Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa, who have been making waves in international tournaments. With this historic win, India is poised to continue its upward trajectory in the global chess arena.
Looking Forward
As India celebrates this landmark victory, the future looks bright for Indian chess. The success at the FIDE Chess Olympiad underscores the depth of talent in both the men’s and women’s teams and highlights the country’s growing influence in the chess world.
With players like Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Harika leading the charge, India is well-positioned to maintain its dominance in future competitions and inspire a new generation of chess players back home.
This historic double gold win is not just a triumph for the players but a moment of pride for the entire nation, marking India’s arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the world of chess.
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