India Dominates the 45th Chess Olympiad with Historic Double Victory

With young stars like Gukesh D and Arjun Erigaisi leading the charge, India secured a commanding victory in the Open section, while the Women’s team, spearheaded by Divya Deshmukh’s outstanding performance, clinched gold in a nail-biting finale.

 

India’s meteoric rise in the chess world reached new heights as both its Open and Women’s teams triumphed at the 45th Chess Olympiad, delivering a historic double victory. This remarkable feat is a testament to the country’s burgeoning talent and the legacy of its chess pioneer, Viswanathan Anand, who inspired a new generation to reach for the stars.

Open Section: Unstoppable Force

India’s Open team, featuring a formidable lineup of Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Harikrishna Pentala, with Srinath Narayanan as their astute captain, dominated the tournament from start to finish. With 10 victories and a single draw, they outpaced their nearest rivals, China, by two points going into the final round.

In a decisive final match against Slovenia, India only needed a draw to secure gold but pushed for more, winning 3.5-0.5. Gukesh, the tournament’s standout performer, scored 9 points in 10 games, clinching the individual gold medal on the top board. Arjun Erigaisi, another rising star, was equally impressive with 10 points in 11 games, earning gold on board three. Both players made significant leaps in their FIDE ratings, closing in on the coveted 2800 mark.

Women’s Section: A Gritty Comeback

The Indian Women’s team, composed of Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali R, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev, guided by captain Abhijit Kunte, faced intense competition. After a flawless start, winning seven consecutive matches, they faced setbacks against Poland and the USA but rallied strongly in the final rounds. Tied with Kazakhstan before the last match, India delivered a resounding 3.5-0.5 victory against Azerbaijan, while Kazakhstan drew against the USA, ensuring India’s place at the top of the podium.

Divya Deshmukh, an 18-year-old sensation and the team’s newest member, was instrumental in the team’s success. Scoring 9.5 points and playing all games, she secured the crucial win in the final match, earning individual gold on board three.

The Battle for Silver and Bronze

The fight for the remaining medals was fierce in both sections. In the Open section, five teams tied for second place. The USA, the tournament’s rating favorite, edged past China in a tightly contested final match to claim silver. Defending champions Uzbekistan took bronze after a narrow victory over France.

In the Women’s section, Kazakhstan's impressive performance earned them the silver medal. The race for bronze saw a four-way tie, but Team USA emerged victorious on tiebreaks, completing the podium.

Final Standings After 11 Rounds:

Open Section:

1. India – 21
2. USA – 17
3. Uzbekistan – 17
4. China – 17
5. Serbia – 17
6. Armenia – 17
7. Germany – 16
8. Azerbaijan – 16
9. Slovenia – 16
10. Spain – 16

Women’s Section:

1. India – 19
2. Kazakhstan – 18
3. USA – 17
4. Spain – 17
5. Armenia – 17
6. Georgia – 17
7. China – 16
8. Ukraine – 16
9. Poland – 16
10. Bulgaria – 16

This triumph is a significant milestone for Indian chess, heralding a new era where India’s players are not just competing but leading on the global stage. As the nation celebrates this extraordinary achievement, the future looks brighter than ever for Indian chess.