The chess world witnessed a monumental achievement at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad held in Budapest, Hungary, from September 11–22, 2024. Hosted at the grand Budapest Olympic Sports and Conference Centre, this Olympiad was a battleground of chess excellence, with 193 teams competing in the Open section and 181 teams in the Women’s section.
India’s Stellar Performance: A Dream Realized
India entered the tournament with high expectations, being the top seed in the Women’s section and second in the Open section. By the end, they surpassed even the most ambitious predictions, securing gold in both categories and rewriting chess history.
The Indian Open team, led by the prodigious 18-year-old Gukesh D and an electrifying performance by Arjun Erigaisi, stormed through the tournament, winning 10 of their 11 matches and drawing just one. Their undefeated streak resulted in a record-breaking 21/22 match points, shattering the previous record of 20 set by the USA and Ukraine in 2016. Their solitary draw came against defending champions Uzbekistan, but the Indian squad remained four points ahead of the nearest competitors, securing gold in a dominant fashion.
The Indian Women's team finished first with 19 out of 22 match points despite a setback in the 8th round. They overcame a tough loss to Georgia (1.5-2.5) and a draw with the USA, but maintained enough momentum at the end to claim the gold without needing tiebreaks. In a fascinating coincidence, both the men’s and women’s teams drew their matches in round 9.
A Historic Achievement in Global Chess
With their stunning double gold, India joined China (in 2018) as the only country outside the former Soviet Union to win both the Open and Women's sections at the same Olympiad. Their combined results earned them the prestigious Gaprindashvili Cup, a testament to their collective dominance across both sections.
The closing ceremony featured a heartwarming moment as India's younger generation presented the trophy to their mentor and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who lifted it with pride.
Individual Brilliance: Gukesh, Arjun, Divya, and Vantika Shine
India's team gold medals were accompanied by a glittering array of individual gold medals. Gukesh D, at just 18, delivered one of the best performances in chess Olympiad history, with an astounding 9.0/10, securing individual gold on board one. His performance rating (RP) of 3056 is the second highest in history, just behind Fabiano Caruana’s legendary 3098 at the 2014 Sinquefield Cup. Gukesh’s achievement on the top board cemented his place as a rising star, with a live ELO rating of 2794.1, a career-high that catapulted him to world number 5.
Arjun Erigaisi, the 21-year-old sensation from Warangal, was equally mesmerizing. His 10/11 performance with 9 wins and 2 draws, pushed his live rating to 2797.2 and earned him individual gold on board three (8/9). This achievement propelled him to world number 3 in the live ratings, behind only Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura. In many ways, Arjun’s rise to the top tier of world chess is reminiscent of a tennis player breaking into the top three in an era dominated by legends like Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
On the women’s side, the young stars also shone brightly. Divya Deshmukh, at 18, notched a live rating of 2500 and moved up to world number 11 in classical chess. She was exceptional throughout the tournament, scoring 9.5/11, with 8 wins and 3 draws, earning individual gold on board three (7/8). Vantika Agrawal, 21, also had a remarkable tournament, scoring 7.5/9 and securing individual gold on board four (5/6). Together, these young players showcased the immense depth and talent of India’s chess future.
Other Key Performances
Vidit Gujrathi performed consistently well for the men’s team, scoring 7.5 out of 10, while Harikrishna’s contribution of 2.5/3 was crucial. Praggnanandhaa, despite facing a challenging tournament by his standards, still managed to secure 6/10 points. On the women's side, Tania Sachdev performed steadily with a score of 3.5 out of 5, achieving two wins and three draws. Harika and Vaishali had a relatively tough tournament but also secured a few wins, contributing to the team’s overall success.
The New Golden Generation of Indian Chess
This Olympiad victory has solidified India’s status as a global chess powerhouse. Winning double gold is akin to claiming an Olympic medal or a Cricket World Cup, marking a defining moment for the nation. With the rise of Gukesh, Arjun, Pragg, Divya, Vantika, and many others, India’s chess future looks incredibly bright. As the chess world enters a new era, India is no longer just a rising force - it is a dominant power.
The 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad will forever be remembered as the moment India conquered the world of chess, not just with a team victory, but with a generation of players who promises to lead the sport for years to come.
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