Budapest, once known as a picturesque vacation spot, has now become a monumental stage for Indian sports triumphs. After Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championship, Indian chess teams have also made headlines by securing a double gold victory in the 2024 Chess Olympiad, cementing Budapest as a site of remarkable achievement.
The Hungarian capital, often referred to as Magyarország or the “Land of Magyars,” provided a perfect setting for India’s redemption after narrowly missing the top prize at Mahabalipuram two years ago. This time, India dominated, securing its legacy with a historic performance.
A Historic Chess Olympiad for India
The 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest witnessed 7,752 games played by 1,870 participants across 11 rounds over 13 days. This year’s tournament marked a shift in global chess power. After decades of Soviet dominance and Eastern European resurgence, the focus has now moved to India and Central Asia. In the Open section, five Asian nations—India, Uzbekistan, China, Armenia, and Azerbaijan—took top-eight positions. A similar trend emerged in the women’s section, with only Azerbaijan missing from the top ranks, signaling the rise of new chess powerhouses.
Leading this wave of transformation was the young Indian chess team. Ranked second behind the United States, India’s performance was flawless throughout the event. The team, consisting of D. Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, R. Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna, won 10 of 11 rounds, only drawing once against defending champion Uzbekistan in a nail-biting encounter.
The Road to Victory
India began its campaign with decisive 4-0 victories over Morocco and Iceland, showcasing its prowess early on. In round three, however, Vidit’s draw against Hungary’s Gabor Papp ended the team’s perfect win streak. Arjun’s brilliant checkmate in 36 moves in the same round was a highlight, demonstrating India’s tactical strength.
The journey continued with commanding wins over Serbia and Azerbaijan. India then defeated Hungary’s A team to remain unbeaten halfway through the tournament. The sixth round saw India face China, a former gold medalist. Despite the formidable opposition, India’s bold strategy—holding China to a draw—was a success, with Gukesh’s remarkable five-hour duel against Wei Yi securing a pivotal victory.
After comfortably beating Iran, India faced its first real challenge when Uzbekistan held them to a draw. With two rounds remaining, India held a two-point lead over the USA, setting up a highly anticipated match. Gukesh and Arjun once again delivered, taking down Fabiano Caruana and Leinier Dominguez Perez, respectively, to secure a historic win against the USA.
India’s final victory over Slovenia sealed their gold medal, marking a monumental achievement in Indian chess history.
A Double Delight: The Women’s Triumph
The Indian women’s team also delivered a spectacular performance, with Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agrawal leading the charge. The duo earned 14 of the team’s 23 total wins, clinching individual gold medals on Boards 3 and 4.
India’s women’s team faced fierce competition but emerged victorious against formidable teams from Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Georgia. In the crucial final rounds, Divya’s decisive win against China propelled India toward gold. When Kazakhstan was held to a draw by the USA, India clinched its first-ever women’s Chess Olympiad gold.
The Spirit of Teamwork and Youth
What made this double gold even more remarkable was the youth of the Indian contingent—six out of the ten players were under 23 years old, with an average age of less than 20 among the gold medalists. Gukesh’s outstanding performance, which included eight wins on the top board and a record-breaking 3000 rating, solidified his place as a rising star in global chess. Arjun Erigaisi’s rise to World No. 3 and Gukesh’s pursuit at No. 5 further underscored the bright future of Indian chess.
The camaraderie and unity within the Indian team were essential to their success. As team captain Srinath Narayanan emphasized, “Good team bonding increases the probability of better results. Being in a positive space helps you play better.”
A New Chapter in Indian Chess
The seeds sown by Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand have flourished, with his protégés now emerging as world-class contenders. India’s triumph in Budapest is more than just a sporting victory—it’s a testament to the country’s growing prowess in the world of chess. With the Nona Gaprindashvili Cup in hand and top global rankings secured, India’s chess future looks brighter than ever.
The 2024 Chess Olympiad will forever be remembered as the moment when India truly stamped its authority on the global chess stage, turning a historic story into history itself.
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