India achieves first-ever gold in both open and women's categories at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary.
The win came after D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi won their respective matches against Slovenia’s Vladimir Fedoseev and Jan Subelj in the 11th round of the match.
The Open team, consisting of Grandmasters Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna, delivered a stellar performance throughout the tournament.
Gukesh scored 9/10 in the Olympiad which helped him secure his gold medal.
Critical wins from Gukesh D against Russian GM Vladimir Fedoseev and Arjun Erigaisi against Slovenia’s Jan Subelj secured India's maiden gold, as China faltered against the USA in their final match.
In the Women’s section, the team of Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali R, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev demonstrated resilience and teamwork.
Their 3.5-0.5 victory over Azerbaijan in the final round, combined with Kazakhstan’s draw with the USA, secured the gold for India.
Vantika Agrawal’s crucial win against Azerbaijan's GM Irina Krush in the ninth round was a pivotal moment in their journey to the top.
“This win is beyond epic! Our team didn’t just make moves, they levelled up and bossed the board!” said Nitin Narang, President of the All India Chess Federation.
He added, “Their hustle, heart, and mind-blowing strategies have put India on top in a way that’s never been done before. This is a vibe shift for Indian chess, and I guarantee it’s going to get a whole new squad of young players hooked. The future of Indian chess is lit.”
The Olympiad saw fierce competition from the world’s leading chess nations, but India’s players rose to the challenge with tactical depth and consistency.
The Open team’s impressive run included eight consecutive victories before a draw against defending champions Uzbekistan and a decisive win over top-seeded USA in the penultimate round.
As the nation celebrates this monumental achievement, the All India Chess Federation extends its deepest gratitude to the players, coaches, and support staff for their tireless commitment and effort.
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