At the 45th Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest, India, led by D.Gukesh and Divya Deshmukh, won a historic double gold by defeating Slovenia and Azerbaijan in the final round.
The FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024, hosted at the BOK Sports and Conference Centre in Budapest, Hungary, from September 10 to September 23, marked the 45th edition of this prestigious tournament. Indian team achieved an extraordinary feat by winning gold medals in both the Men’s and Women’s divisions, thus ending the 97-year wait for gold. This year’s event, characterised by fierce competition among elite chess nations, is set to conclude tomorrow. India’s double gold victory is poised to transform the chess landscape, inspiring future generations and elevating the sport in the country.
45th Chess Olympiad 2024
The 45th season of the Chess Olympiad in Budapest featured a diverse lineup of teams competing in two primary divisions: the Open (Men’s) and Women’s categories. The tournament followed a robust format of multiple rounds where teams faced off in head-to-head matches, accumulating points based on their performances. With 1884 contestants participating across both divisions, this event showcased the global appeal and passion for chess.
Venue and Tournament Details
- Location: Budapest, Hungary
- Duration: September 10 – September 23, 2024
- Open: 197 Teams (195 Nations)
- Women: 183 Teams ( 181 Nations)
- Rounds: 11 rounds in total
Rules of the Competition
The tournament adhered to the standard FIDE rules which are stated below:
- Each match comprised four games (one for each player).
- Points were awarded as follows:
- Win: 1 point
- Draw: 0.5 points
- Loss: 0 points
- The team with the highest total points at the end of all rounds was declared the winner.
India’s Performance
India’s chess teams exhibited exceptional prowess throughout this Chess Olympiad. The Indian Open team secured gold by triumphing over Slovenia with a decisive score of 3.5-0.5 in the final match. Notable performances included:
- Arjun Erigaisi delivered the first win against Jan Subelj.
- D. Gukesh, who followed suit with a victory over Vladimir Fedoseev.
- R. Praggnanandhaa, who secured a crucial win against Anton Demchenko.
- Vidit Gujrathi contributed with a solid draw against Matej Sebenik.
In addition to the team’s success, both Gukesh and Erigaisi garnered individual board medals, with Gukesh winning on Board No. 1 and Erigaisi earning accolades on Board No. 3.
The Indian Women’s team also made headlines by defeating Azerbaijan with a similar score of 3.5-0.5. The team’s performance was bolstered by stellar contributions from players like Rameshbabu Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh. Their impressive total score of 19/22 not only secured their first-ever gold medal but also highlighted the strength of Indian women in this year’s Chess Olympiad.
For a detailed overview of India’s final round performance in both the Open and Women’s divisions at the Chess Olympiad 2024, check out this article from ChessBase India.
Historic Achievements for India at this Olympiad
India’s performance at the 2024 Chess Olympiad set new records that will be remembered for years to come:
- The Open team achieved an astounding ten match wins out of eleven, accumulating an impressive score of 21/22 points.
- This score surpassed the previous record held by the USA and Ukraine, who scored 20/22 points at the 42nd Olympiad in 2016.
- Both Gukesh and Erigaisi displayed exceptional form, with Gukesh clinching gold on Board No. 1 for the second consecutive Olympiad, while Erigaisi improved his previous silver medal to gold.
The achievements of players like Vantika Agrawal and Tania Sachdev in the women’s division further underscored the depth of talent in Indian chess. Their strategic acumen and determination contributed significantly to the team’s success.
Chess Olympiad 2024 Prize Money
In the Chess Olympiad, the best teams are recognized with medals, trophies, and certificates rather than prize money. In the 2024 edition, India emerged as the 45th Chess Olympiad winner, taking top honours in both the open and women’s events. The dates of the Chess Olympiad and the winning federation’s name are engraved on each trophy. These trophies are owned by FIDE but are kept by the winning federations until the next Olympiad. Winning federations and their players are recorded in the FIDE Golden Book, managed by the President.
Here are the trophies awarded in the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024 closing ceremony along with Medals:
- Hamilton-Russell Cup: This prestigious trophy is awarded to the best team in the open section of the Olympiad. For the 2024 season, the Hamilton-Russell Cup was awarded to India.
- Vera Menchik Cup: Named after the first women’s world champion, this cup is awarded to the best team in the women’s section of the Chess Olympiad. Indian Women’s team won this season’s Vera Menchik Cup.
- Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy: This trophy recognizes the federation with the best combined classification across both sections. Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy was awarded to India, for being the best team across both classifications (open and Women) in this Olympiad.
This remarkable achievement underscores India’s dominance in the 45th Chess Olympiad and showcases its excellence in international chess competitions.
India’s Performance at the 44th Chess Olympiad 2022
The 44th Chess Olympiad, held in Chennai, India, from July 28 to August 10, was a landmark event for Indian chess.
- Medals Won by India:
- Open Division: Bronze by the India B team (D. Gukesh, Nihal Sarin, R. Praggnanandhaa, Raunak Sadhwani).
- Women’s Division: Bronze by the India A team (Koneru Humpy, R. Vaishali, Tania Sachdev, Bhakti Kulkarni).
- Individual Medals: India secured a total of nine individual medals, including two golds (D. Gukesh on Board 1 and Nihal Sarin on Board 2) and one silver (Arjun Erigaisi on Board 3).
The 2022 Chess Olympiad was historic in its own right as India secured its first-ever bronze medal in the women’s section, highlighting the growing talent of female chess players in the country.
Also Read: FIDE Chess Olympiad 2022: All Indian medal winners
Conclusion: A Bright Future Ahead
India’s historic double gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad serves as a powerful testament to the nation’s burgeoning prowess in chess. The remarkable achievements of both the men’s and women’s teams not only highlight the exceptional talent in India but also inspire future generations of players to take up the game. As India celebrates this unprecedented success, it solidifies its status as a powerhouse in global chess, paving the way for even greater accomplishments in future competitions.
This remarkable victory at the 2024 Olympiad enhances India’s reputation in the chess world and ignites a passion for the game among aspiring players across the nation.
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