Indian Chess Shines Bright: A Historic Year Of Achievements

NEW DELHI (ANI) – India celebrated a landmark year in chess as the nation achieved unprecedented accomplishments on the global stage, cementing its position as a powerhouse in the sport. From stellar individual triumphs to remarkable team performances, 2024 marked a golden era for Indian chess, with young talents and veterans alike etching their names in history.

Gukesh D Makes History

Eighteen-year-old Gukesh D stunned the chess world by defeating China’s Ding Liren in the 14th and final game of the FIDE World Championship in Singapore. His 7.5-6.5 victory made him the youngest world champion in chess history and India’s second world champion after the legendary Viswanathan Anand. Earlier in April, Gukesh had won the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament, becoming the youngest challenger for Ding’s world title.

Double Gold at the Chess Olympiad

At the Chess Olympiad held in Budapest, Hungary, the Indian contingent achieved a historic double gold, with both the men’s and women’s teams emerging victorious.

·        The men’s team, comprising Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, and Arjun Erigaisi, dominated Slovenia in the final round, scoring a record 21 points.

·        The women’s team, led by Harika Dronavalli and Divya Deshmukh and featuring Vantika Agrawal and Tania Sachdev, secured gold by defeating Azerbaijan.

Individually, Gukesh, Arjun, Divya, and Vantika also won gold medals on their respective boards, underlining their exceptional form.

Humpy Koneru’s Rapid Triumph

Veteran chess player Humpy Koneru clinched her second FIDE Women’s World Rapid Championship title in New York, defeating Indonesia’s Irene Sukandar in the final round. Humpy finished with a score of 8.5/11, becoming only the second player to win multiple women’s world rapid titles after China’s Ju Wenjun. This victory adds to her illustrious career, which includes her first rapid title in 2019 and multiple podium finishes in international events.

Arjun Erigaisi Breaks Barriers

In October, 21-year-old grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi achieved a historic milestone by crossing the 2800 Elo rating mark in live chess ratings. This made him the youngest Indian and only the second player from the country—after Viswanathan Anand—to reach this prestigious benchmark.

A Generation of Rising Stars

The future of Indian chess looks brighter than ever, with stars like Praggnanandhaa R, Vidit Gujarathi, D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, Divya Deshmukh, and Vantika Agrawal leading a new wave of talent. Their achievements on the international stage signal a golden generation poised to dominate the sport for years to come.

Also Read: Gukesh,18, Makes History As Youngest Ever World Chess Champion