Indian Chess Team Set to Shine at Chess Olympiad in Budapest

Indian Chess on the Rise: Young Talent Gears Up for Chess Olympiad in Budapest

Bengaluru: Two years ago, in Mamallapuram, 16-year-old D Gukesh made a promise to the world by stunning the then world No.2 Fabiano Caruana at the Olympiad and taking home an individual gold medal. Fast forward to today, Indian chess has seen significant growth and churn, with players like R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi making waves on the international stage.

As the Chess Olympiad kicks off in Budapest this week, India is fielding its strongest team ever, seeded second behind the USA. With four players in the top 12 and four women in the top 15 for the first time, Indian chess is on the rise.

The sense of team spirit is palpable as players from the same country come together to compete as a team. In the Chennai Olympiad, India’s ‘B’ team, comprising young talents like Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa, won bronze over their higher-rated countrymen of the ‘A’ team, marking a significant achievement for Indian chess.

Team captain Srinath Narayanan is optimistic about India’s chances in the Olympiad, noting that the team has transformed from underdogs to favorites against almost every team. With a mix of experienced players and young talents, India is poised to make a strong showing in Budapest.

In the women’s section, India will be without their highest-ranked player Koneru Humpy, but the team still holds promise with players like Vaishali and Harika Dronavalli in the mix. Seeded second, India will face tough competition from teams like Georgia and Poland.

As the excitement builds for the Chess Olympiad, Narayanan reflects on the unique experience of being in a venue with players from close to 200 countries. With the opportunity to watch some of the world’s best players up close, the Olympiad promises to be a thrilling event for chess fans worldwide.