Mon Sep 23 01:51:12 UTC 2024: ## India Dominates Chess Olympiad, Securing Historic Gold Medals for Men and Women
**Budapest, Hungary** – In a historic triumph, India has captured both the men’s and women’s gold medals at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, becoming the first nation to achieve this feat. The event, considered the pinnacle of team chess competition, attracted over 190 countries.
India’s men, seeded second, dominated the field, securing 10 wins and a draw across 11 rounds. They amassed a total of 21 points, leaving the second-placed United States, which boasted some of the world’s strongest players, trailing behind with 17 points. India’s victory against the USA in the penultimate round was crucial, setting the stage for a near-formal win against Slovenia in the final round.
Leading the charge for the Indian men was D. Gukesh, who shone on the top board, consistently facing the strongest players from each team. Arjun Erigaisi also played a pivotal role, especially in the first half of the tournament, winning six consecutive games on the third board.
While R. Praggnanandhaa’s performance on the second board may not have met expectations, Vidit Gujrathi’s consistency proved crucial to the overall success.
The women’s victory is equally remarkable, considering the absence of India’s top player, Koneru Humpy, who opted to skip the tournament. The young team stepped up, demonstrating their talent and resilience. The youngest members, Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agrawal, excelled on the lower boards, offsetting setbacks on the first and second boards. Despite some inconsistent games, D. Harika and R. Vaishali contributed significantly, alongside reserve players Tania Sachdev and P. Harikrishna.
This triumph marks a momentous year for Indian chess. It follows closely on the heels of Gukesh’s qualification for the World Chess Championship match against China’s Ding Liren, scheduled for November 23 in Singapore. With this latest victory, Indian sport has added yet another memorable date to its history.
First Piper 