Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India’s historic triumph at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, where both the men’s and women’s teams clinched their maiden gold medals.
India’s men’s team, comprising D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa, defeated Slovenia in the final round, while the women’s team, led by R Vaishali, D Harika, and Tania Sachdev, triumphed over Azerbaijan.
Gukesh, the star of the tournament, won 10 out of 11 rounds in the Open category, playing a pivotal role in India’s victory. Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa also secured decisive wins in the final round.
The women’s team secured their gold by defeating Azerbaijan. Vaishali, Harika, and Sachdev displayed exceptional skills and determination throughout the tournament.
In a video shared on social media, Modi interacted with the chess champions, who presented him with a chessboard. Praggnanandhaa and Erigaisi played a quick game of chess, leaving Modi spellbound.
The Indian men’s team finished with an impressive 21 out of 22 possible points, conceding only one draw against Uzbekistan. The women’s team also performed remarkably, securing 18.5 points out of 22.
India’s historic achievement at the Chess Olympiad is a testament to the growing popularity and talent in the sport. The gold medals are a source of pride for the nation and will inspire future generations of chess players.
