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The 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad, held between September 10-22 in Budapest, was a historic event where India claimed double gold in both the open and women’s sections, marking a significant achievement in the country’s chess history. Organized by FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs, International Chess Federation) this Olympiad featured 188 teams, making it the largest in history.
In the open section, India’s dominant team—Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna—took gold with 21 points out of 22, staying undefeated throughout, except for a draw against defending champions Uzbekistan.
Gukesh D’s nine victories and Arjun Erigaisi’s unbeaten run, with 10 points out of 11 rounds, were key factors in India’s triumph.
The Indian women’s team, composed of Harika Dronavalli, Divya Deshmukh, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev, also secured gold. Their victory against Azerbaijan, combined with the USA’s draw with Kazakhstan, ensured their win. Harika’s leadership and Divya Deshmukh’s individual gold on board three were instrumental in their success.
Historic win for India as our chess contingent wins the 45th #FIDE Chess Olympiad! India has won the Gold in both open and women’s category at Chess Olympiad! Congratulations to our incredible Men’s and Women’s Chess Teams. This remarkable achievement marks a new chapter in… pic.twitter.com/FUYHfK2Jtu
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 22, 2024
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to congratulate the teams for their “incredible performances,” emphasizing how they brought pride to the nation.
His sentiment was echoed by India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, further celebrating the teams’ success.
The Olympiad coincided with FIDE’s latest assembly, where Judit Polgár go the FIDE100 Award for the greatest female chess player of all time.
Her new position will allow her to influence the future direction of the sport globally. Judit Polgár’s sibling who is also a chess player was nominated as best trainer.
The 2024 Chess Olympiad showcased India’s rise as a chess powerhouse, cementing its players’ reputation on the international stage.
Via fide.com, chessolympiad2024.fide.com, X (formerly twitter); Featured Image: Pixabay