At the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, the Indian chess team secured unprecedented gold medals in both the Open and Women’s categories. This outstanding achievement represents a significant milestone in India’s chess legacy, surpassing all previous accomplishments.
India’s Journey to Glory
The 2024 Chess Olympiad commenced with the Indian team showcasing their dominance by securing eight consecutive victories. However, their unbeaten streak was interrupted in the ninth round when they were held to a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan.
Revival and Triumph
The team’s quest for their first-ever title was reignited in round 10, as they secured crucial victories against the USA (2.5-1.5) in the Open category and China (2.5-1.5) in the Women’s category. This momentum propelled them into the final round with determination and confidence.
Final Round Thriller
In the Open category, India faced Slovenia in the final round. Arjun Erigaisi’s decisive victory over Jan Subelj sealed the gold medal, leading the team to a resounding 3.5-0.5 win.
Women’s Team Excellence
The Women’s team also delivered a stellar performance, triumphing over Azerbaijan with a remarkable 3.5-0.5 victory in the final round. D Harika, Divya Deshmukh, R Vaishali, and Vantika Agrawal displayed exceptional skill, securing individual wins and draws.
Standings and Statistics
The Indian Open team claimed the top position in the standings with 19 points, having triumphed over all opponents except Uzbekistan. Similarly, the Women’s team secured the leading position, tied with Kazakhstan on 17 points before the final round.
Previous Achievements
India’s previous best performances at the Chess Olympiad were bronze medals in 2022 (Chennai) and 2014 (Tromso, Norway).
Player Performances
Key player performances included:
– D Gukesh’s remarkable display of technical and strategic brilliance against Vladimir Fedoseev
– Arjun Erigaisi’s crucial victory over Jan Subelj
– R Praggnanadhaa’s commanding win over Anton Demchenko
– Vidit Gujrathi’s impressive draw against Matej Sebenik
– D Harika’s demonstration of technical skills against Gunay Mammadzada
– Divya Deshmukh’s outstanding victory against Govhar Beydullayeva
Conclusion
India’s historic gold medal victories in both the Open and Women’s categories at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest signify the dawn of a new era of success for Indian chess. The team’s exceptional performance is a testament to its skill, strategic prowess, and unwavering determination.
