Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the success of India’s Chess Olympiad champions during a special event in New Delhi. He engaged with prominent chess players, including Divya Deshmukh, Tania Sachdev, D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa, and took part in a friendly match between Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa, showcasing his enthusiasm for the game.This gathering marked a significant acknowledgment of India’s exceptional performance at the Budapest Chess Olympiad, where both the men’s and women’s teams achieved gold medals, marking a historic double victory on September 22. PM Modi commended the athletes for their remarkable achievements and extended his heartfelt congratulations for their groundbreaking successes.The men’s chess team, which included D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna, exhibited exceptional performance throughout the tournament, amassing a total of 21 points, surpassing the second-placed USA by four points. Gukesh had an outstanding individual performance, achieving a score of 9 out of 10, and played a pivotal role in securing a vital victory against the higher-ranked Fabiano Caruana during their match against the USA, thereby solidifying India’s position at the top. Both Erigaisi and Gujrathi enjoyed remarkable winning streaks, while Praggnanandhaa demonstrated his reliability in critical situations.Following the success of the men’s team, the women’s team of India, consisting of Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, Tania Sachdev, and coach Abhijit Kunte, also achieved gold medal status, further enhancing India’s reputation in the chess arena. In the decisive final round, India triumphed over Azerbaijan with a score of 3.5-0.5, thanks to victories from Harika, Divya, and Vantika, while Vaishali contributed with an essential draw. Although India showcased a commanding performance against Azerbaijan, the confirmation of their gold medal was contingent upon the USA’s 2-2 draw with Kazakhstan, which averted a tiebreak situation. This dual victory signifies a significant milestone in India’s chess journey, underscoring the nation’s advancing capabilities on the international stage.
