India Eyes First Chess Olympiad Gold in Budapest
India, the bronze medalist in the previous edition, is poised to make history at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary. The Indian team, seeded second, is determined to secure its first standalone gold medal in the prestigious tournament.
Led by Vidit Gujrathi, R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaise, and P Harikrishna, the Indian team boasts a formidable lineup. Despite the absence of legendary Viswanathan Anand, the team is confident in its ability to surpass its previous bronze medal performance.
The Chinese team, featuring reigning World Champion Ding Liren, is the third seed and a strong contender for the title. The tournament format consists of 11 rounds in both the open and women’s sections, with two match points awarded for each victory.
The Indian women’s team, seeded first, is also a strong contender for the podium. Led by D Harika and R Vaishali, the team has a mix of youth and experience. The absence of top Chinese players and the suspension of Russia and Ukraine has cleared the path for India’s women’s team.
The US team, led by Fabiano Caruana, is the top favorite in the open section. Despite missing Hikaru Nakamura, the US team remains a formidable opponent. The Indian men’s team, led by D Gukesh, also has a good chance of performing well.
With a strong team and a clear path to victory, India is poised to make history at the 45th Chess Olympiad. The tournament promises to be an exciting and competitive event, with India aiming to secure its first standalone gold medal.
