Indian Men’s and Women’s Chess Teams Make History with Gold Medal Wins at Chess Olympiad

India Makes History with Historic Gold Medal Wins at Chess Olympiad

New Delhi, Sep 22 (PTI) – The Indian sporting fraternity is celebrating a historic achievement as both the men’s and women’s teams clinched their first-ever gold medals at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand led the praise for the teams, highlighting their sensational performances in the final round.

The men’s team secured a 3.5-0.5 victory over Slovenia, with impressive wins from D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa. On the other hand, the women’s team sealed an identical 3.5-0.5 win against Azerbaijan, completing a historic double for India.

Anand took to social media to congratulate the teams, singling out players like Vidit Gujrathi, Divya Deshmukh, and Vantika Agrawal for their outstanding performances. He also praised the captaincy of Srinath Narayanan and GM Kunte for leading the teams to victory.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also lauded the historic achievement, emphasizing the hard work and brilliance displayed by the chess heroes on the global stage. Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura of the United States commended Anand for inspiring the next generation of chess players in India, highlighting his legacy and influence on the sport.

The Indian men’s team had previously won bronze medals in 2014 and 2022, while the women’s team claimed bronze in the 2022 edition. However, this year’s gold medal wins mark a significant milestone in Indian chess history, showcasing the country’s growing prowess in the sport.

With these historic victories, India has firmly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of chess, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the future. Congratulations to Team India for their remarkable success at the Chess Olympiad!