They have done it. The young Indian team comprising D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi and Pentala Harikrishna has clinched the country's first-ever Chess Olympiad (in-person) gold medal in the open section. (More Chess News)
The title victory was confirmed in the final round in Budapest on Sunday (September 22, 2024), after Gukesh beat Vladimir Fedoseev and Erigaisi prevailed over Jan Subelj. At least a tie was secured against Slovenia, which was enough to hand gold medal to the prodigious Indian squad.
In a trailblazing campaign, the Indian team remained unbeaten through the 11 rounds, starting off with eight back-to-back wins before it was held to a draw by defending champions Uzbekistan.
Nevertheless, India returned to winning ways in the next match, defeating top seeds USA in the 10th round to virtually seal the gold medal deal.
With this unprecedented triumph, India bettered their showing in the 2022 Olympiad, where they had bagged a bronze medal in Chennai. India had earlier claimed another bronze in the 2014 edition.
World Championship challenger Gukesh and Erigaisi yet again delivered in key games. Up against Slovenia, Gukesh was at his very best in the technical phase of the game as black against Vladimir Fedoseev.
Though it was a laboured victory, the 18-year-old Grandmaster was spot on with his tremendous strategic display.
Erigaisi also won with black on the third board against Jan Subeli out of a surprising Centre Counter defence game.
If this was not enough, Praggnanadhaa struck form and scored a crushing victory over Anton Demchenko, as India secured 3-0 triumph over Slovenia with one game still remaining.
The Indian men ended up with a remarkable 21 points out of a possible 22. They conceded just a lone 2-2 draw to Uzbekistan while beating the rest of the opponents.
The women's team later followed up the men's triumph with a title of their own, as India claimed a never-before golden double at the Chess Olympiad.
(With PTI inputs)
