India has solidified its place in chess history, pulling off an extraordinary feat at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest. The Indian teams made headlines by winning gold in both the men’s and women’s categories. It’s a rare achievement that only China and the Soviet Union have accomplished before. India’s chess victory in both the categories has set the global chess stage on fire, proving that the nation is home to some of the world’s finest chess talent.
The Indian men’s team delivered a stellar performance in the final round, crushing Slovenia with a dominant 3.5-0.5 win. This commanding victory was led by 18-year-old chess prodigy D. Gukesh and his equally impressive teammates, 21-year-old Arjun Erigaise and 19-year-old R. Praggnanandhaa. Gukesh, in particular, has been on a hot streak, consistently delivering in key matches throughout the tournament. Meanwhile, Vidit Gujrathi, 29, rounded off the team’s triumph with a strategic draw, sealing India’s place at the top.
On the women’s side, India’s team was nothing short of unstoppable. Veteran player D. Harika, aged 33, dominated the top board, while the rising star Divya Deshmukh, only 18, took down her opponent, in stunning fashion. Deshmukh’s win also earned her an individual gold medal on the third board, adding more glory to India’s victory.
What makes India’s victory even more special is the presence of legendary chess grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, who witnessed this new generation of Indian players claim the top prize. Anand, a five-time world champion, was there to support the team.
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India’s dominance in Budapest follows a series of impressive performances in recent years. The men’s team previously won bronze medals in 2014 and 2022, while the women’s team took bronze in the 2022 edition held in Chennai. This latest double-gold victory signals a new era for Indian chess, with young players stepping up to bring home the biggest honors.
This historic win has ignited a new wave of excitement for chess fans across India, with social media buzzing about the triumph. India has truly arrived on the global chess scene, and there’s no stopping this rising chess powerhouse!
