India Makes Chess History with Double Gold at Olympiad!

India’s chess teams achieved a historic feat at the 2024 Chess Olympiad, clinching both the men’s and women’s gold medals for the very first time!

Men’s Team Dominates

• Defeated Slovenia in the final round, outstanding performances by D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa.
• Gukesh displayed exceptional strategic thinking, Erigaisi won playing black, and Praggnanandhaa secured a convincing victory.
• This victory marks India’s first Chess Olympiad gold medal in the open category (over-the-board competition).
• The team finished with an impressive 21 points out of a possible 22, losing only one draw throughout the entire tournament.

Women’s Team Triumphs

• The women’s team mirrored the men’s success, defeating Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5 in the final round.
• D Harika excelled on the top board, while Divya Deshmukh secured both an individual gold medal and team victory.
• Vantika Agrawal added another win to seal the historic double gold for India.

Individual Brilliance

• Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna all displayed unique strengths that contributed to the victories.
• Gukesh, known for his laser focus, maintained an unwavering game face throughout.
• Erigaisi, the world no. 4, dominated on the third board, often leaving opponents with significantly less time on the clock.
• Praggnanandhaa, a solid player, overcame a recent rough patch to deliver crucial wins.
• Vidit Gujrathi’s consistent performance on the fourth board proved valuable.
• Harikrishna, the experienced player, provided stability and won two out of his three matches.

This double gold victory marks a significant milestone for Indian chess, solidifying the nation’s position as a global chess powerhouse.