In a momentous achievement for Indian chess, the national teams clinched their first-ever gold medals in both the men’s and women’s categories at the 45th Chess Olympiad held in Budapest, Hungary. This historic victory marks a significant milestone, with India defeating formidable opponents in the final rounds to secure gold.
Dominant Performances Lead to Victory
The Indian men’s team showcased exceptional talent and strategy, defeating Slovenia in a thrilling final round. Key victories came from D. Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R. Praggnanandhaa, each winning their respective matches. Gukesh delivered a standout performance, finishing with an impressive score of 9 out of 10 games, which elevated his live rating to 2794, making him the world’s No. 5 player.
Arjun Erigaisi also shone brightly, concluding the tournament with an impressive 10 out of 11 score, raising his live rating to 2797 and positioning him as the world’s No. 3 player, ahead of renowned grandmaster Fabiano Caruana. Other team members, including Praggnanandhaa R, Pentala Harikrishna, and Vidit Gujrathi, played crucial roles in this historic win.
In the women’s category, India triumphed over Azerbaijan with a resounding score of 3.5-0.5. D. Harika excelled on the top board, while Divya Deshmukh secured an individual gold medal on the third board. The team’s victory was further solidified by R. Vaishali’s draw and a brilliant win from Vantika Agrawal.
Previous Achievements and Milestones
This historic win is particularly notable as the Indian men’s team had previously secured two bronze medals—first in 2014 and again in 2022. The women’s team had also clinched bronze at the 2022 Olympiad held in Chennai. The triumph at the 2024 Chess Olympiad reflects years of hard work and dedication by these talented players.
Recognition and Celebrations
The achievement garnered widespread acclaim, with public figures like former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi congratulating the teams. Gandhi expressed his pride in the players’ remarkable skills and commitment on the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Your golden victory has made the country immensely proud.”
Conclusion
The historic victories of the Indian chess teams at the 2024 Chess Olympiad not only highlight the growing strength of chess in India but also inspire future generations of players. As the nation celebrates this milestone, it is clear that the passion for chess will continue to flourish in India.
For more inspiring stories about Indian athletes and their achievements, check out this article on Sangram Singh, the first Indian male wrestler to win an MMA fight.
