The 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad, held in Budapest, Hungary, from September 10 to 23, 2024, was a monumental event in the world of chess. This biennial team tournament brought together the best chess players from around the globe, representing their national federations in both Open and Women's sections. The 2024 Olympiad was particularly notable for its record-breaking participation, with 197 teams from 195 nations in the Open section and 183 teams from 181 nations in the Women's section.

India's Historic Double Victory

India made history by winning gold medals in both the Open and Women's sections, a feat that has only been achieved by two other nations in the past: the former Soviet Union and China.

The Open Section

• India - 21 points
  • The Indian team, consisting of Gukesh Dommaraju, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Harikrishna Pentala, dominated the tournament, winning 10 matches and drawing just one. They finished a full four points ahead of the second-place teams.
• United States - 17 points
  • The United States took silver after a hard-fought victory over China in the final round.
• Uzbekistan - 17 points
  • Uzbekistan secured bronze by narrowly defeating France in the final round.

The Women's Section

• India - 18 points
  • The Indian women's team, led by Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev, clinched gold after a convincing 3.5-0.5 win over Azerbaijan in the final round. They saw off Kazakhstan, who were tied for first place but only managed a draw against the United States.
• Kazakhstan - 17 points
  • Kazakhstan took silver after being held to a draw by the United States in the final round.
• United States - 17 points
  • The United States claimed bronze by edging out Spain, Armenia, and Georgia on tiebreaks.

Key Highlights

• Record Participation: The 2024 Olympiad saw a record number of participating teams, with 197 teams in the Open section and 183 teams in the Women's section.
• Historic Double Victory: India became the third nation to win gold in both the Open and Women's sections, following the former Soviet Union and China.
• Individual Performances:
  • Gukesh D: Scored 9 points in 10 games and earned the individual gold medal on the top board with a performance rating of 3056.
  • Arjun Erigaisi: Scored 10 points in 11 games and won individual gold on board three.
  • Divya Deshmukh: Scored 9.5 points and secured the crucial victory in the final match, earning individual gold on board three.

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The All India Chess Federation

The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is a member of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF), which is recognized by FIDE to promote all forms of chess throughout Asia. Notably, India played host to the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai in 2022, which was a significant milestone in the country's chess history.

The 2024 Chess Olympiad was a testament to the growing strength of chess globally, with India's historic double victory marking a new era in international chess. The tournament showcased the talents of young players like Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, and Divya Deshmukh, who are set to dominate the chess world in the years to come. The Olympiad also highlighted the importance of team dynamics and strategic play, as India's consistent performance and ability to press for wins even when a draw would suffice made all the difference.

For chess enthusiasts and players alike, the 2024 Olympiad provided invaluable lessons in strategy, resilience, and the power of teamwork. As the chess world looks forward to the next Olympiad in 2026, the bar has been set high, and it will be exciting to see which nations and players rise to the challenge.

Final Standings

• Open Standings:
  1. India - 21 points
  2. United States - 17 points
  3. Uzbekistan - 17 points
• Women's Standings:
  1. India - 18 points
  2. Kazakhstan - 17 points
  3. United States - 17 points

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