In a stunning display of collective chess mastery, India’s men’s and women’s teams both captured gold medals at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest. This unprecedented double triumph firmly announced the rising superpower status of Indian chess on the global stage.
Young Indian Teams Dominate the Field
The Indian men’s squad, featuring young Grandmasters like Dommaraju Gukesh, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun Erigaisi, steamrolled the competition. They achieved the largest winning margin in Olympiad history, finishing a staggering four points ahead of the field.
The women’s team, led by Harika Dronavalli and rising stars like Vaishali Rameshbabu and Divya Deshmukh, also clinched gold in clutch performances. They showcased nerves of steel in high-pressure matches to secure the top spot on the podium.
Gukesh Shines with Historic Performance
While the triumphs were a team effort, D Gukesh had a tournament for the ages. The 17-year-old wunderkind achieved a staggering 3000+ tournament performance rating, one of only four players to ever reach that milestone in a major classical event.
Gukesh would, of course, go on to do something else a little more spectacular later in the year…
All-Around Excellence Yields Avalanche of Medals
In addition to the team golds, the Indians racked up a slew of individual honors:
- Arjun Erigaisi – Gold medal on third board
- Divya Deshmukh – Gold medal on third board
- Vantika Agrawal – Gold medal on fourth board
- D Gukesh – Gold medal on fourth board
This hardwood haul is a testament to India’s tremendous depth of young talent, with major contributions coming from every team member across the top four boards in both sections.
The Future Looks Bright for Indian Chess
For followers of Indian chess, these Olympiad golds feel like an arrival years in the making. With five players in the 2024 Candidates Tournament and now this record-setting Olympiad performance, Indian chess appears poised for long-term supremacy.
The scary thought for rivals? This group is just getting started, with an average age in the low 20s and immense room for further growth. As one chess commentator put it:
Checkmate, macha.
The 2024 Chess Olympiad will forever be remembered as the moment Indian chess announced its arrival as a true powerhouse. With a perfect blend of veteran poise and youthful energy, the Indian men and women stood atop the podium together – and appear equipped to stay there for a long time to come.
