Indian Grandmasters Harika Dronavalli and Vidit Gujrathi Reflect on Historic Chess Olympiad Victory at HTLS 2024

Indian Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli is still basking in the glory of her gold-medal finish at the 2024 Chess Olympiads, nearly two months after the historic achievement. Along with the Indian men’s and women’s teams, Harika’s victory has been hailed as the start of a new era in Indian chess.

Speaking at the 2024 Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, Harika and fellow Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi expressed their pride in India’s progress in the world of chess. Vidit, a prominent figure in Indian chess, emphasized the significance of India’s double victory in the Olympiads, solidifying the country’s position as a powerhouse in the chess world.

Harika, a veteran of 10 Olympiads, described her gold medal win as a dream come true moment that she had been chasing since childhood. With rising stars like Divya Deshmukh and Vaishali Rameshbabu making their mark in Indian women’s chess, Harika is optimistic about the future of the sport in India.

Similarly, Vidit noted the momentum in the men’s circuit, with players like Arjun Erigaisi and Gukesh Dommaraju climbing the ranks. Despite facing setbacks like his defeat at the Candidates Tournament, Vidit remains focused on the game and is excited about the future of Indian chess.

With Indian chess on the rise and a new generation of talented players emerging, Harika and Vidit are confident that the sport will continue to thrive in India. Their achievements at the Olympiads have not only brought glory to the country but have also inspired a new wave of chess enthusiasts to pursue the game at a competitive level.