India’s Chess Teams Make History with Double Gold at Budapest Olympiad
In an unprecedented display of skill and determination, India’s chess teams secured gold medals in both the open and women’s categories at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest. The open team, comprising D. Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Harikrishna Pentala, defeated Slovenia in the final round to upgrade their bronze medal from 2022. Meanwhile, the women’s team, consisting of Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev, traded in their bronze for gold after getting past Azerbaijan in the final round.
Here’s a breakdown of India’s journey to double gold:
Round 1: Open – 4-0 win vs Morocco | Women – 3.5-0.5 win vs Jamaica
The Indian teams got off to a strong start, with Arjun Erigaisi making a risky piece sacrifice that paid off in a long endgame against Jacques Elbilia. Divya Deshmukh, on debut, faced a resilient challenge from Rachel Miller and snapped up the win after Miller made an error in the endgame.
Round 2: Open – 4-0 win vs Iceland | Women – 3.5-0.5 win vs Czech Republic
The Indian men became only the third team to score a perfect 8/8 in the first two rounds, with Gukesh marking his arrival with a neat win on the top board. Harika Dronavalli began her campaign with a hard-fought win, and Vantika Agrawal earned her first Olympiad win by getting past Tereza Rodshtein in a see-saw battle.
Round 3: Open – 3.5-0.5 win vs Hungary [B] | Women – 3-1 win vs Switzerland
India’s 100% record in the open category was snapped as Vidit Gujrathi was held to a draw, while Harika Dronavalli was handed a loss in the women’s division. However, Gukesh and co. led the open standings, while the women were among the 16 teams tied with 6 match points.
Round 4: Open – 3.5-0.5 win vs Serbia | Women – 3.5-0.5 win vs France
Just two draws in 16 individual games for India in the open category, with World #4 Arjun Erigaisi making it four in four as he beat Aleksandar Indjic with black pieces. Harika Dronavalli bounced back to winning ways, and Divya Deshmukh’s nerve-wracking win against Mitra Hejazipour was a highlight.
Round 5: Open – 3-1 win vs Azerbaijan | Women – 2.5-1.5 vs Kazakhstan
Two draws for India as they dropped a whole point for the first time in the open category. Arjun Erigaisi became the only player to win five in five in the open section, with Gukesh following suit. Harika Dronavalli was handed her second loss of the Olympiad, but Vaishali Rameshbabu and Vantika Agrawal’s victories ensured the Indian women topped the rankings.
Round 6: Open – 3-1 win vs Hungary | Women – 2.5-1.5 win vs Armenia
Both Indian teams broke away from the pack and claimed the sole lead. The Indian women remained the only team to win each of their first six matches. Arjun Erigaisi delivered in style for a six straight win, while Divya Deshmukh played an all-important clash on the third board.
Round 7: Open – 2.5-1.5 win vs China | Women – 3-1 win vs Georgia
The Indian teams were up against their closest rivals, with Gukesh digging deep over six hours to beat World #8 Wei Yi. Vantika Agrawal and Vaishali Rameshbabu produced clinical wins in the women’s division as India maintained their undisputed lead.
Round 8: Open – 3.5-0.5 win vs Iran | Women’s – 1.5-2.5 loss to Poland
The Indian men were again up against one of their closest rivals, with Arjun Erigaisi finding his mojo again and Gukesh employing the Dubov variation to beat Parham Maghsoodloo. The Polish women, however, upset India, handing Harika Dronavalli and Vaishali Rameshbabu their first losses.
Round 9: Open – 2-2 draw with Uzbekistan | Women – 2-2 draw with USA
A match-up against the defending champions was never going to be easy, and India saw their winning run cut short in the open category. The women’s team pulled out a much-needed draw, with Vantika Agrawal rescuing them as she converted a Ragozin Defence of Queen Gambit Declined game against Irina Krush.
Round 10: Open – 2.5-1.5 win vs USA | Women – 2.5-1.5 win vs China
Gukesh and co. stunned the top seeds with dominating performances. Harika Dronavalli and co. were in a have-to-win position, and did just that. Divya Deshmukh came in clutch for the women’s team as her outstanding win against Ni Shiqun put the Indians back in contention for the gold medal.
Round 11: Open – 3.5-0.5 win vs Slovenia | Women’s – 3.5-0.5 vs Azerbaijan
On the cusp of history, the women’s team needed an outright win for the gold, while the men in the open category had it slightly easier owing to their superior tally… and they both delivered in style. Gukesh was in complete control of this contest as he had a massive +3.33 advantage around 30 moves in and needed less than 10 moves to beat Vladimir Fedoseev and seal the gold medal for India in the open category. Over in the women’s category, Vantika Agrawal struggled against time pressure, but Khanim Balajayeva made an error in the 34th move, and the Indian grabbed onto that mistake to clinch the gold medal in the women’s section.
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