Viswanathan Anand Praises Indian Women’s Team for Historic Gold at Chess Olympiad

Indian women’s chess team makes history with first-ever gold medal at Chess Olympiad

Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand praised the Indian women’s team for their “fantastic resilience” as they secured the first-ever gold medal at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest last week. The team’s victory comes after a setback against Poland, showcasing their determination and focus.

The Indian women’s team had come close to winning the gold in 2022 when the Olympiad was held in Chennai, but settled for bronze. Harika Dronavalli, who played the top board, expressed relief at finally achieving the long-awaited gold medal. The 33-year-old veteran highlighted the transformative moment in the history of women’s chess in India.

The achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian women’s chess, with players like Tania Sachdev emphasizing the team’s determination to improve upon past performances. The victory is seen as a turning point for the sport in India, with hopes that it will inspire more success in the future.

Vantika Agrawal, one of the standout performers with 9.5 out of 11 points, expressed her joy at winning the gold medal at just 22 years old. The young star’s experience under pressure is expected to further enhance her skills and contribute to the growth of women’s chess in India.

The team’s success has garnered widespread support, with fans lining up for autographs and selfies with rising star Divya Deshmukh. The Nagpur native described the gold medal win as a dream come true and expressed her ambition to achieve even greater heights in the future.

With a blend of experience and youth, Indian women’s chess is poised for continued growth and success. The team’s historic victory at the Chess Olympiad signals a bright future for the sport in India.