Sun Sep 22 12:51:54 UTC 2024: ## India Wins Historic Gold at Chess Olympiad, Women’s Team in Tense Final
**Budapest, Hungary** – India has secured a historic gold medal in the Open section of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad, dominating the final round against Slovenia. This marks the first time India has won the Open section of the prestigious tournament.
The Indian team, led by Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Pentala Harikrishna, and Srinath Narayanan (captain), entered the final round with a two-point lead over China. A draw was all they needed to clinch the gold.
While the men’s team celebrated victory, the women’s team faced a more challenging situation. India and Kazakhstan are tied for the top spot with 17 points, with India narrowly ahead on tiebreakers. The Indian women’s team must beat Azerbaijan in their final round matchup, and hope that Kazakhstan falters against the USA.
The final round saw thrilling performances from the Indian players. Gukesh secured a win against Vladimir Fedoseev on the top board, while Arjun Erigaisi defeated Jan Subelj. These decisive wins solidified India’s victory in the Open section.
However, the women’s team’s fate remains uncertain. Divya Deshmukh, India’s strongest player in the women’s event, holds a slight advantage in her game, but the remaining matches are evenly poised. A draw against Kazakhstan would be ideal, but the USA is also vying for a gold medal, adding another layer of tension to the final round.
The Indian team’s success has been attributed to the young talent of their players, notably Gukesh and Arjun, who have been in exceptional form throughout the tournament. Their dominance has inspired a new generation of chess players in India and globally.
The Olympiad has also seen a number of heartwarming stories, including the recognition of Mohamed Rafiq Khan, India’s first-ever medallist at the Chess Olympiad, who despite never achieving grandmaster status, left an indelible mark on the chess world.
The final round of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad is set to be an exciting culmination of the tournament, with both the men’s and women’s teams battling for glory.
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