A decade ago, India made history at the Chess Olympiad in Tromso, Norway, winning its first medal since its debut in 1956. Led by K Sasikiran, the team finished third behind China and Hungary.
Fast forward to 2023, and India stands as the sole leader at the halfway mark of the Budapest Olympiad. With all their matches won so far, the team is poised for a record-breaking finish.
This time, India’s dominance is not surprising. Its top players, aged 18-21, have been making waves individually, with jaw-dropping performances in the World Cup, Candidates, and World Championship.
The team’s strength lies in its youth and talent. The top three boards average an age of 19, with two of them ranked among the world’s top five. They have been crushing their opponents with machine-like precision.
Arjun Erigaisi, ranked fourth in the world, has a flawless 6/6 score. Gukesh, who missed the first round, has been equally dominant with four wins and a draw. His performances have caught the attention of world No.1 Magnus Carlsen and reigning world champion Ding Liren.
In Round 7, India will face China, with a potential face-off between Ding and Gukesh. China has been shaky in recent times, but remains a formidable opponent.
The Indian women’s team is also performing well, having beaten every team they have faced. Divya Deshmukh has been a standout performer, winning five of her six games and closing in on Elo 2500.
The Indian teams won bronze medals at the last Olympiad in 2022. This time, they are aiming for gold. With five rounds remaining, anything is possible. However, one thing is clear: India has emerged as a world-dominating chess nation, and the future looks bright.
