Chess Olympiad 2024: India win gold medal for the first time in history after defeating Slovenia in Open category

India has bagged a gold medal in the Chess Olympiad for the first time in history, the gold was claimed in the open section of the 2024 Chess Olympiad on 22nd September 2024, Sunday.

New Delhi: India has bagged a gold medal in the Chess Olympiad for the first time in history, the gold was claimed in the open section of the 2024 Chess Olympiad on 22nd September 2024, Sunday.

The Indian men’s team, comprising Arjun Erigaisi, Gukesh D, R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, P Harikrishna and Srinath Narayanan (captain), bagged gold in the Open category at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Hngary’s Budapest. India had bagged bronze in the Open category in the 44th Chess Olympiad.

🇮🇳 India wins the 45th FIDE #ChessOlympiad! 🏆 ♟️

Congratulations to Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, Pentala Harikrishna and Srinath Narayanan (Captain)! 👏 👏

Gukesh D beats Vladimir Fedoseev, and Arjun Erigaisi prevails against Jan Subelj; India… pic.twitter.com/jOGrjwsyJc

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) September 22, 2024

India’s title win was secured in the final round after second-placed China dropped points on two boards against the USA, while Arjun Erigaisi and D Gukesh clinched wins for the Indians.

The Indian team enjoyed a near-flawless run in the competition, starting with eight wins before it was held to a draw by defending champion Uzbekistan.

India soon returned to winning ways, trumping top-seeded USA in the penultimate round to effectively seal the title.

With this India bettered its performance from the 2022 Olympiad where it won a bronze medal in home soil. India had previously won a bronze in the 2014 edition.