In a historic feat, the Indian men’s and women’s chess teams have secured gold medals at the 45th Chess Olympiad. The men’s team clinched the title with a comfortable victory over Slovenia in the final round, while the women’s team bagged gold after defeating Azerbaijan.
The Indian men, led by Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanadhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, and Harikrishna, showcased exceptional skill throughout the tournament, culminating in their historic victory. This marks India’s first-ever gold medal in the prestigious team event.
The women’s team, in a strong position, had a 3.5-0.5 win over Azerbaijan. The final outcome was then depended on the result between Kazakhstan and the USA.
The Indian women’s chess team secured the gold medal at the 45th Chess Olympiad after the United States held their opponent to a 2-2 draw. This result prevented a tie-break, ensuring India’s victory. If Kazakhstan had defeated the USA, the competition would have been decided through tie-breaking matches.
India’s Women’s Team draw against USA crucial
Earlier, International Master Vantika Agrawal played a pivotal role in India’s draw against the United States in the ninth round of the Chess Olympiad. Her victory over Grandmaster Irina Krush helped India secure a 2-2 result.
Mixed Results on Other Boards
Despite resting Grandmaster D Harika, India’s fortunes on the top board were mixed. R Vaishali lost to Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova, while Divya Deshmukh drew with Carissa Yip. Tania Sachdev, playing on the fourth board, was unable to capitalize on a strong position and settled for a draw with Alice Lee.
Vantika’s Heroic Performance
Vantika’s victory was crucial in equalizing the score. The young Indian player displayed exceptional skill and determination, defeating her higher-rated opponent.
India’s Men’s Team Claims Historic Chess Olympiad Gold
Earlier in the day, India’s men’s team clinched their first-ever Chess Olympiad title with a victory over Slovenia in the final round. Their impressive run throughout the competition included eight consecutive wins and a draw against defending champions Uzbekistan.
Key Victory Over USA
A decisive win over the top-seeded USA in the penultimate round effectively sealed the title for India. China, the second-placed team, dropped points against the USA, allowing India to claim the gold medal.
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