The Indian chess team recently celebrated an extraordinary achievement, marking their historic double gold medal win at the 2024 Chess Olympiad held in Budapest. This remarkable feat occurred on September 22, as both the men’s and women’s teams triumphed in their respective categories, solidifying India's status on the global chess stage.
The atmosphere during the celebrations was electric, with team members exuberantly gathered on the podium, proudly holding the national tricolor aloft. In a lighthearted moment of camaraderie, Tania Sachdev and D Gukesh recreated Lionel Messi’s iconic walk celebration from the 2022 FIFA World Cup. This playful gesture echoed a similar celebration by Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma after India clinched the T20 World Cup earlier in the year, showcasing the cross-sport enthusiasm and unity in celebrating national victories.
D Gukesh emerged as a key figure in this monumental victory, etching his name in history by winning his second individual gold medal at the Olympiad. His stellar performance was instrumental in guiding India to its first-ever gold in the men’s division. Remarkably, Gukesh finished the tournament unbeaten, boasting an impressive record of 9 wins and a draw across 10 matches played on the top board. His consistent excellence throughout the event has not only garnered him individual accolades but has also significantly uplifted India's position in international chess.
Joining Gukesh in this success was Arjun Erigaisi, who was recognized as the best performer on Board 3. Erigaisi achieved a remarkable tally of 10 wins out of 11 matches, further solidifying India’s dominance in the tournament. Together, Gukesh and Erigaisi contributed to India’s extraordinary total of 21 points out of a possible 22, marking a historic milestone for the nation in chess history.
The women’s team, comprised of talented players including Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, Tania Sachdev, and Abhijit Kunte, also played a crucial role in this remarkable achievement. In a decisive final round against Azerbaijan, they delivered a strong performance, winning by a score of 3.5-0.5. Harika, Divya, and Vantika all secured victories in their matches, while Vaishali managed to hold her opponent to a draw. This victory was pivotal, but it also relied on the outcome of another match involving the USA and Kazakhstan.
India’s crowning as champions was ultimately confirmed when the USA managed to hold Kazakhstan to a 2-2 draw, which eliminated any potential tie-break scenario that could have complicated the women’s team’s gold medal aspirations. Had Kazakhstan won, it would have created a challenging situation for the Indian team, but their collective performance ensured that they finished on top.
This double gold medal win not only highlights the remarkable talent and determination of the Indian chess community but also represents a significant moment of pride for the entire nation. The victory reflects years of hard work, dedication, and strategic brilliance, propelling India into the forefront of the chess world and inspiring future generations of players. As the chess community celebrates this achievement, the hopes are high for continued success on the international stage, with eyes set on future tournaments and the potential for even greater accomplishments.
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