The Chess Olympiad 2024 is set to be a grand showcase of talent in Budapest, with India fielding a formidable team of young stars.
1. Rising Stars: Two years ago in Mamallapuram, 16-year-old R. Gukesh captivated the chess world by defeating world No. 2 Fabiano Caruana and winning an individual gold medal at the Olympiad.
2. Indian Chess Growth: Since the last Olympiad, Indian chess has seen remarkable progress. R. Praggnanandhaa reached the World Cup final, and Arjun Erigaisi is now India’s top-ranked player at No. 4.
3. Top Rankings: India boasts four players in the top 12 globally, including three under 21. The country also has four women in the top 15 for the first time, reflecting significant growth.
4. Olympiad Overview: The Chess Olympiad, a prestigious team event held biennially, will see over 190 countries compete. The opening ceremony is set for Tuesday, with the first round starting on Wednesday.
5. Strongest Team Yet: Team captain Srinath Narayanan describes this as “the strongest Indian team ever,” with India seeded second behind the USA, featuring a squad of rising talents.
6. Previous Success: At the Chennai Olympiad, India’s ‘B’ team, featuring Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa, won bronze. This was India’s first Olympiad medal since 2014.
7. Team Dynamics: Narayanan highlights the unique team spirit in chess, where players usually compete individually. The current team combines strong skills with high motivation.
8. Past Challenges: Historically, India was considered an underdog against chess powerhouses like Armenia and Russia. Now, India is seen as a favorite, except perhaps against the USA.
9. Competitor Ambitions: Aside from the top-seeded USA, other strong competitors include China and defending champions Uzbekistan. India aims for a medal, with Narayanan emphasizing the importance of mental preparedness.
10. Women’s Team: The Indian women’s team, though missing top player Koneru Humpy, includes Vaishali and Harika Dronavalli. They are seeded second, facing teams like Georgia and Poland.
11. Unique Experience: Narayanan reflects on the Olympiad’s scale, with nearly 200 countries participating in one venue. It offers a rare opportunity to witness the world’s best chess players up close.
India’s chess team is poised to make a significant impact at the 2024 Chess Olympiad, showcasing a blend of youthful energy and exceptional talent.