Indian chess has reached unprecedented heights with the historic triumph at the 2024 Chess Olympiads, where both the men’s and women’s teams emerged victorious. This remarkable achievement has propelled India to the forefront of the global chess scene, and at the heart of this revolution are two stalwarts: Harika Dronavalli and Vidit Gujrathi.
Harika, a 20-year veteran, and Vidit, a rising star, shared their insights at the 2024 Hindustan Times Leadership Summit. They expressed their immense pride and the significance of this victory for Indian chess. Vidit emphasized that India has now become a formidable force, stating, “India is the next big thing.”
For Harika, the Olympiad triumph was a dream come true. Having participated in 10 Olympiads, she had long yearned for this moment. “It took a lot of time to sink in completely,” she said. “It’s been a long dream. It’s me in my 20th year playing Olympiad. Ten Olympiads. So I have been dreaming about this since I was a kid.”
The Indian chess landscape is undergoing a transformation, with a surge of talented young players. Harika believes this trend will continue, inspiring future generations. “I haven’t seen this close a gap in many years,” she said. “I’m sure that it’s going to be even better in the future.”
Vidit echoed these sentiments, noting the rise of Arjun Erigaisi and Gukesh Dommaraju in the men’s circuit. “Indian chess continues its upward trajectory,” he said.
Despite a challenging start to the year, Vidit has regained his focus and is excited about the future. “I’m again feeling very good,” he said. “I’ve been playing lots of tournaments. I’m just enjoying it more.”
The Olympiad victory has not only brought glory to India but has also ignited a passion for chess among the younger generation. Harika and Vidit are confident that the future of Indian chess is bright, with even greater achievements to come.
