Indian Men and Women Make History with Maiden Chess Olympiad Gold Medals

In a historic moment for Indian chess, both the men’s and women’s teams clinched their maiden gold medals in the 45th Chess Olympiad after defeating their opponents in the final round. The men’s team secured victory against Slovenia, with D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and Rameshbabu Praggnanadhaa winning their respective matches. The women’s team also emerged victorious, beating Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5 to claim the title.

This triumph marks a significant achievement for Indian chess, with the men’s team previously winning two bronze medals in 2014 and 2022, and the women’s team securing a bronze in the 2022 edition. World Championship challenger Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi played crucial roles in securing the title for the men’s team, delivering impressive performances in key games.

Gukesh showcased his strategic prowess in a hard-fought victory against Vladimir Fedoseev, while Erigaisi secured a win against Jan Subeli. Praggnanadhaa also contributed to the team’s success with a crushing victory over Anton Demchenko. The Indian men finished with an outstanding 21 points out of a possible 22, dominating their opponents throughout the tournament.

The Indian women’s team continued the winning streak, with D Harika, Divya Deshmukh, Rameshbabu Vaishali, and Vantika Agrawal securing a 3.5-0.5 victory against Azerbaijan. Harika and Deshmukh displayed exceptional skills on the top and third boards, respectively, contributing to the team’s overall success.

This double triumph for Indian chess at the Chess Olympiad is a testament to the talent and dedication of the players. The country celebrates the historic achievement of both the men’s and women’s teams as they bring home the gold medals.