India made history on Sunday as both its men’s and women’s teams claimed their first-ever gold medals at the 45th Chess Olympiad 2024, following victories in their respective final matches. The men’s team triumphed over Slovenia, with D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa securing wins in the crucial 11th round. The women’s team dominated Azerbaijan with a 3.5-0.5 win, clinching the title.
Prior to this, the Indian men had won two bronze medals in 2014 and 2022, while the women’s team secured bronze in 2022 when the tournament was held in Chennai. World Championship contender Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi once again delivered in key moments, helping India claim its first gold in the open category.
Facing Slovenia, Gukesh excelled in a complex game, winning as black against Vladimir Fedoseev with a brilliant strategic display. Although it was a hard-fought victory, the 18-year-old Grandmaster was precise in his approach. On the third board, Erigaisi also played with black, defeating Jan Subeli with a surprising Centre Counter defense.
Praggnanandhaa added to the victory with a crushing win over Anton Demchenko, ensuring India’s 3-0 triumph over Slovenia even with one game left to play. The Indian men finished with an impressive 21 points out of a possible 22, conceding only one draw to Uzbekistan while defeating all other opponents.
In a historic double gold for India, the women’s team followed up with a dominant 3.5-0.5 win against Azerbaijan. D Harika showcased her technical skills on the top board, while Divya Deshmukh secured her individual gold medal with a victory on the third board. After R Vaishali drew her game, Vantika Agrawal delivered another brilliant win to confirm the team’s title.
This victory solidified India’s standing as a global chess powerhouse, marking a significant moment in the nation’s sporting history.
