Mon Sep 23 09:12:29 UTC 2024: ## India Makes History at Chess Olympiad with Double Gold Win!
**Budapest, Hungary** – In a historic feat for Indian chess, the country secured a double gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad, held in Budapest, Hungary. This marks the first time in the history of the Olympiad that India has won gold in both the Open (men’s) and Women’s divisions.
The Indian men’s team, led by D. Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun Erigaisi, along with Vidit Gujrathi and P. Harikrishna, dominated the Open division throughout the tournament. They secured a decisive victory against the United States in the penultimate round, putting them in a commanding position for gold. In the final round, they further solidified their victory with a resounding 3-0 win against their opponents.
Meanwhile, the Indian women’s team, comprising Vaisali Rameshbabu, Tania Sachdev, Divya Deshmukh, D. Harika, and Vantika Agrawal, also showcased exceptional strength. Going into the final round, they were neck and neck with Kazakhstan for the top spot. A crucial win against Azerbaijan in the final round, secured with strong performances from Harika, Divya, and Vantika, clinched the gold medal for the Indian women’s team.
This historic double gold win for India at the Chess Olympiad marks a significant milestone for the country’s chess scene. The victory not only highlights the talent and dedication of the Indian players but also underscores the growing strength of Indian chess on the global stage.
This win comes as a prelude to India hosting the next Chess Olympiad in 2022, where the nation will be aiming to further bolster its legacy in the sport.
First Piper 