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India made history at the 45th Chess Olympiad, securing a remarkable double gold with both the men's and women's teams emerging victorious. This unprecedented achievement marks the first time India has claimed top honors in the prestigious tournament. The men's team faced off against Slovenia in the final round, showcasing a dominant performance fueled by the individual brilliance of its key players. D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanadhaa all secured decisive wins, leaving Slovenia with no chance for a comeback.
Gukesh, the 18-year-old Grandmaster, displayed exceptional strategic prowess as black against Vladimir Fedoseev, ultimately securing a hard-fought victory. Erigaise followed suit, defeating Jan Subeli with black on the third board, utilizing a surprising Centre Counter defense strategy. Praggnanadhaa further solidified India's lead with a crushing win over Anton Demchenko, securing a 3-0 triumph with one game still remaining. The Indian men's team concluded the tournament with a remarkable 21 points out of a possible 22, showcasing their dominance throughout the competition. They conceded just a single draw against Uzbekistan, defeating all other opponents.
The Indian women's team then added another layer of glory to India's performance by clinching their first-ever gold medal. They secured a commanding 3.5-0.5 victory against Azerbaijan in the final round, marking a rare double gold achievement for the country. D Harika showcased her technical brilliance on the top board, while Divya Deshmukh continued her stellar performance, clinching her individual gold medal on the third board. R Vaishali added a crucial draw to the team's score, while Vantika Agrawal sealed the victory with another brilliant triumph. The Indian women's team demonstrated exceptional teamwork and individual skill, proving their dominance throughout the tournament and leaving a lasting mark on the history of the Chess Olympiad.
Source: India Script History By Winning Rare Double Gold At Chess Olympiad 2024