Chess Olympiad 2024: India scripts history, claims 2 gold medals in Budapest
India women beat Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5 in the final round
Indian players pose with their gold medals, trophies and the tricolour at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, on Sunday (September 22). Photo: X/@FIDE_chess
India on Sunday (September 22) scripted history in Budapest, Hungary by winning two gold medals for the first time in the open and women's sections at the Chess Olympiad 2024.
The first medal was confirmed in the open category after D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanadhaa won their respective matches against Slovenia in the 11th round match.
Grandmaster and World Championship challenger Gukesh beat Vladimir Fedoseev, while Erigaisi prevailed over Jan Subelj.
Even if the Indians lose in the remaining two games, they will win the gold as they needed just a draw in the 11th round to win the title at the 45th Chess Olympiad.
Later, Indian women too bagged a historic gold. India women beat Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5 in the final round.
Earlier, in Round 10, India beat the USA 2.5-1.5. D Gukesh triumphed over Fabiano Caruana and Arjun got the better of Lenier Dominguez.
After the win, speaking about the game on the FIDE broadcast, Gukesh said: “It was crazy. He surprised me in the opening with his move order, and we reached an initially equal position. His problems started from Ne7... Arjun (Erigaisi) was completely winning, so I thought even a draw would be fine, but I kept finding all the good moves.”
Talking about his performance at the Olympiad, Gukesh said: “I am glad, but the main thing was to perform as a team.”
Indian men had earlier won two bronze – in 2014 and 2022 – in the tournament. Indian women had won a bronze in the 2022 edition in Chennai.