India Won 2 Gold in Chess Olympiad : In a historic achievement, India has made a breakthrough in chess, winning gold at the Chess Olympiad for the first time in its 97-year history. Thanks to the outstanding performances of D. Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, India secured gold in the open section and also triumphed in the women’s section. Gukesh further contributed by winning gold in the individual event, bringing India’s total to three gold medals.
This is the first time India has won gold in both sections of the Chess Olympiad. During the 45th Chess Olympiad held in Budapest, Gukesh defeated Vladimir Fedoseev, while Erigaisi bested Jan Subelj, setting India on the path to victory.
At just 18 years old, Gukesh has made history by winning gold in the individual event for the second consecutive time, having previously claimed gold at the 2022 Chess Olympiad. He is now the second Indian, after Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, to win back-to-back golds, and has also become the 16th Chess Master in the World Cup.
Performance of the Indian Teams
The Indian men’s team only needed a draw in the final round to secure first place. However, they clinched two victories while second-placed China lost points against the USA.
The Indian men’s team comprised D. Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Pentala Harikrishna, R. Praggnanandhaa, and Srinath Narayanan. Meanwhile, the women’s team delivered an impressive 3.5-0.5 victory over Azerbaijan in their last match, featuring players Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, Tania Sachdev, and captain Abhijit Kunte.
A Historic First
This is the first time in history that India has won gold medals in both the open and women’s sections of the Chess Olympiad. Previously, India had won bronze medals twice—once in 2014 and again two years ago.
The Indian men’s team showcased exceptional skill throughout the tournament, winning eight consecutive matches before drawing with defending champions Uzbekistan. Their remarkable victory over the top-seeded U.S. team on September 21 secured their gold medal.
The excitement surrounding India’s remarkable achievements at the Chess Olympiad reflects a growing passion for the game in the country. With the rise of talented young players like Gukesh and Erigaisi, the future of Indian chess looks incredibly bright.
Their success not only highlights individual skill but also showcases the strength of the Indian chess community, which has been increasingly supported by training programs and international exposure. This victory serves as inspiration for aspiring chess players across the nation, encouraging them to pursue their dreams in the sport.
Moreover, this historic win underscores India’s potential to become a global powerhouse in chess. With the momentum from this Olympiad, there’s a renewed focus on nurturing young talent and providing them with the resources needed to compete at the highest levels.
As the chess landscape evolves, fans are eager to see how these young prodigies will continue to shape the game and bring even more glory to India in future international competitions.
The victory at the Chess Olympiad is not just a milestone; it’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of players, coaches, and supporters who believe in the power of chess to unite and inspire.
