Indian Women’s Chess Team Makes History with Maiden Chess Olympiad Title

Indian Women’s Chess Team Makes History with Maiden Chess Olympiad Title

In a historic moment for Indian chess, the women’s team clinched their maiden Chess Olympiad title in Budapest, with veteran player D Harika leading the charge. Despite not being completely satisfied with her own performance, Harika expressed her joy at finally achieving the long-awaited gold medal.

The team’s victory was a result of a rare clean sweep of gold medals, with the men’s team also securing their first title in the same event. Harika, who has been playing for 20 years, was emotional as she reflected on the team’s triumph, stating, “I am extremely happy and proud of the girls, youngsters came up in the team and they did extremely well.”

The young talent in the team, including 18-year-old Divya Deshmukh, played a crucial role in securing the victory. Divya, who recently won the World Junior Girls’ chess championship, was a standout performer, earning the individual gold medal on the third board.

The team’s resilience and determination were evident throughout the event, with players like Tania Sachdev and Vantika Agrawal delivering strong performances. Team captain Grandmaster Abhijeet Kunte praised the team’s efforts, highlighting the crucial role played by each member in securing the historic victory.

Overall, the Indian women’s chess team’s triumph at the Chess Olympiad is a testament to their talent, hard work, and dedication to the sport. The victory marks a significant milestone in Indian chess history and sets the stage for even greater achievements in the future.