Thu Sep 26 12:25:48 UTC 2024: ## Modi Hosts Chess Olympiad Gold Medalists, Discusses AI and India’s Sporting Ambitions
**New Delhi:** Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the Indian men’s and women’s chess teams, who won gold medals at the recent Chess Olympiad, at his residence on Thursday. The interaction focused on the teams’ strategies, the role of artificial intelligence in the game, and India’s aspirations as a sporting powerhouse.
Modi engaged with the players, inquiring about their remarkable performances, particularly the men’s team’s perfect score of 21 out of 22 points. He was keen to understand their approach to the high-pressure event and their opponents’ reactions to their dominance.
The players, including the youngest ever world championship challenger D Gukesh, shared their insights, highlighting the importance of teamwork and the impact of artificial intelligence in chess. They acknowledged that AI has revolutionized the game, providing new strategies and democratizing access to knowledge.
In a conversation that extended beyond chess, Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance of sports in national development. He argued that success in sports is as crucial as achievements in science, film, or economics.
The event showcased Modi’s keen interest in the sport, with him even remembering the upcoming birthday of young chess player Vantika Agrawal. The players were touched by his personal touch and dedication.
Modi emphasized the importance of physical fitness, even for mental sports like chess. He advised the players on proper training, diet, and the benefits of yoga and meditation.
The meeting concluded with the players gifting Modi a photograph of their felicitation function in Gujarat, a cherished memory for Vantika, who was just 9 years old when she met the Prime Minister.
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