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India shatters records by dominating 45th Chess Olympiad 2024, marks the beginning of 'Golden era'

23/09/2024 -

Sunday 22nd September 2024 will always be remembered as the 'Golden day' in the Indian chess history, both literally and figuratively. India defeated Slovenia (Open) and Azerbaijan (Women) with the exact same score 3.5-0.5 to clinch the Gold. India has not only won both Open and Women's events but also the Nona Gaprindashvili Cup for the second consecutive edition. In fact, India only won Gold medals at this event. Apart from winning the team Gold, India won four individual Gold medals - GM D Gukesh on Board #1, GM Arjun Erigaisi on Board #3. In Women's event, IM Divya Deshmukh clinched Gold on Board #3 and IM Vantika Agrawal on Board #4. India scored 21/22 in Open, finishing four points ahead of USA and Uzbekistan. This is the biggest gap between Gold and Silver medal winners since the introduction of match points at 38th Olympiad in 2008. India won Women's event scoring 19/22, finishing a full point ahead of the runner-up - Kazakhstan 18/22. USA finished third 17/22. The 'Golden era' of Indian chess has officially begun. Photo: FIDE/Michal Walusza

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Breaking news: India wins a historic double Gold at 45th Chess Olympiad

22/09/2024 -

India has won a historic double Gold medal at 45th Chess Olympiad 2024. Arjun Erigaisi scored the first win of the match over Jan Subelj. The second win was scored by D Gukesh against Vladimir Fedoseev. R Praggnanandhaa defeated Anton Demchenko. Vidit Gujrathi drew with Matej Sebenik. India won the match 3.5-0.5 against Slovenia, thus India secured a first-ever team Gold medal irrespective of the outcome of the last two boards. D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi has also secured individual board medals on Board no.1 and 3 respectively. India Women's team also won against Azerbaijan with the same score 3.5-0.5. They won a Gold scoring 19/22. Kazakhstan drew with USA, thus Indian Women have clinched a clear first place. This is the first time in history India has won a Gold and what a fantastic way to win it in both events. Photo: FIDE/Michal Walusza

Diptayan Ghosh decimates Tarpex Tarpaulin presents 1st TCCCA Rapid Rating Open 2024

22/09/2024 -

Top seed, the reigning National Rapid and Blitz champion, GM Diptayan Ghosh scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win Tarpex Tarpaulin presents 1st TCCCA Rapid Rating Open 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the field. 11-year-old Niladri Banerjee scored 8/9 to secure second place. He finished ahead of eight IMs and a WIM. Five players - IM Aronyak Ghosh, IM Kaustuv Kundu, IM Neelash Saha, Ankit Ray and Kumar Gaurav scored 7.5/9 each. They were placed third to seventh respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹300000. The top three prizes were ₹40000, ₹30000 and ₹20000 along with a trophy each respectively. This is Diptayan's fourth overall, third rating tournament triumph of the year. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

Gukesh outplays World no.3 Caruana, India on the verge of making history at 45th Chess Olympiad

22/09/2024 -

D Gukesh is playing phenomenal chess at 45th Chess Olympiad 2024. In his second consecutive Olympiad, he defeated the World no.3 - Fabiano Caruana. The World Championship challenger played fabulously to outplay his opponent, silencing all his critiques who feel the teenager is not elite yet. Arjun Erigaisi also continues his great form as he defeated Leinier Dominguez Perez. R Praggnanandhaa suffered the sole loss in the match against Wesley So. Vidit Gujrathi played solid and perfect chess to draw against Levon Aronian. India maintained their two point lead. A draw against Slovenia clinches Gold. However, in a worst case scenario, a loss for India and China beating USA would determine the medal based on tie-breaks. IM Divya Deshmukh powered Indian Women to a win over China. India must beat Azerbaijan in the final round and hope everything else works out to clinch a double Gold. Final Round 11 starts today at 11 a.m. local time, 2:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Mark Livshitz

45th Chess Olympiad Day 8: Photos that tell the tale

22/09/2024 -

Many people might view team chess events as less significant because they believe chess is an inherently individualistic game. However, I believe that team chess events are actually more challenging. In individual matches, success depends on individual talent, whereas in team events, success depends on teamwork and mutual trust. The player has to consider whether their personal goal would be good for the team. We have seen in many games that when one team member lost the game, another team member pushed for a win. This shows the resilience and unity required in team play. This is why team events can be more complex than individual games. Moreover, they foster a strong sense of camaraderie that individual competitions cannot. The Chess Olympiad exemplifies this dynamic. Now, let’s have a look at some memorable pictures from Day 8. Photo: FIDE

Atharv Venkatesh and Leah R Joseph are the champions of Karnataka State Under-11 Open and Girls 2024

21/09/2024 -

Atharv Venkatesh (Bengaluru Urban) and Eshwar Veerappan Aiyappan (Mysore) scored 7.5/9 each at Karnataka State Under-11 Open Rating Championship 2024. Atharv won the tournament on tie-breaks, Eshwar secured second place. Eight players scored 7/9. Out of them, top seed, Samaksh Ashok was adjudged third. In the Girls event, Leah R Joseph scored sole 7.5/9 to become the champion. Five players scored 7/9. Indusheetala N (Bengaluru Urban) and Anvita Sathi (Uttara Kannada) secured second and third place according to tie-breaks. The total combined prize fund of the tournament was ₹100000. The top three prizes were ₹12000, ₹8000 and ₹6000 along with a trophy each respectively. The three-day nine-round rating tournament was organized by Giristuti Checkmate School of Chess Foundation from 30th August to 1st September Gujarat Bhavan in Belgaum, Karnataka. Photo: Praveena N

45th Chess Olympiad R9: Uzbekistan halts India's winning streak, Vantika saves the day for India Women

21/09/2024 -

The defending champion, Uzbekistan halted India's winning streak at 45th Chess Olympiad in the ninth round. Vidit Gujrathi was the first to make a quick draw against Jakhongir Vakhidov. Fans waiting for another exciting battle between - D Gukesh and Nodirbek Abdusattorov will have to wait a little longer as their game was an uneventful draw. R Praggnanandhaa defended well Javokhir Sindarov. Arjun Erigaisi had the longest game of the match against Shamsiddin Vokhidov. It also ended in a draw. India is still in sole lead 17/18, maintaining their two points lead. USA, Uzbekistan and China are at 15/18 each. IM Vantika Agrawal saved India Women's team from defeat as she defeated GM Irina Krush to draw the match 2-2 against the USA. In the penultimate round, it will be India vs USA in Open and China in the Women. Round 10 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: Maria Emelianova/chess.com

45th Chess Olympiad Day 7: Photos that tell the tale

20/09/2024 -

After the sixth round at the Olympiad, players had to make a tough call – whether to attend the Bermuda party or not. The Bermuda party is an opportunity for the players, coaches, and officials of all the federations to unwind, socialize, and enjoy a break from the tournament. The party is filled with energetic music, lively dancing, and an overall festive atmosphere. While many players attend the party for fun calling it the ‘best day’, some choose to skip it calling it the ‘rest day’ and stay focused on the upcoming rounds. Whatever the decision, we hope each player made the choice that was right for them. As we move forward with the tournament, let’s explore some memorable pictures from Day 7.

Ramnathan Balasubramaniam dominates 1st HZCA Rapid Rating Open 2024

20/09/2024 -

IM Ramnathan Balasubramaniam scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 1st HZCA Rapid Rating Open 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the field. Dr. Prajwal P Shet and Nihal N Shetty scored 8/9 each. They secured second and third place respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹100000. The top three prizes were ₹20000 + trophy, ₹13000 + trophy and ₹7000 each respectively. The one-day rapid rating tournament was organized by Haveri Zilla Chess Association on 25th August 2024 at Guru Bhavana in Haveri, Karnataka. This is Ramnathan's fourth overall, first rating tournament triumph of the year. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

45th Chess Olympiad R8: Gukesh, Arjun and Vidit ensure India squashes Iran, increase their sole lead

20/09/2024 -

Indian men continue their impressive winning streak at 45th Chess Olympiad. Iran lost to India 0.5-3.5 to score their eighth consecutive win. D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Gujrathi scored the wins for the team over Parham Maghsoodloo, Bardiya Daneshvar and Pouya Idani respectively. Only R Praggnanandhaa conceded the sole draw of the match against M Amin Tabatabaei. India is at a perfect score after eight rounds 16/16. Uzbekistan and Hungary are the only two teams trailing them at 14/16 each. India will face Uzbekistan in Round 9. The Indian Women's team suffered their first loss of the event against Poland. IM Divya Deshmukh scored the sole win. IM Vantika Agrawal also had winning chances but she missed them and it ended in a draw. Poland and Kazakhstan join India in a three-way lead 14/16 each. India vs USA in the Women in Round 9 which starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Mark Livshitz

Malaysian Chess Festival celebrates its 19th birthday together with Malaysia Day

19/09/2024 -

The 19th IGB Dato Arthur Tan Malaysian Open Chess Championship 2024 part of Malaysian Chess Festival, has reached its halfway mark. Malaysia no.1, IM Poh Yu Tian and GM Nguyen Duc Hoa (VIE) are leading the tournament scoring 4.5/5 each. IM Kushagra Mohan is the sole Indian in a pack of five players, trailing by a half point at 4/5 each. Among the women, WGM Priyanka Nutakki is at 3.5/5. Peter Long writes on the history and significance of the tournament, the winners of the Rapid team event and also about Seniors and Challengers event. Photo: Andrew Ooi

45th Chess Olympiad R7: World champion ducks Gukesh, his masterpiece crumbles the infallible China

19/09/2024 -

Those who were eagerly waiting to see D Gukesh face off Ding Liren will have to wait a little longer. The world champion was given a rest in the crucial battle against India. Gukesh is always determined to deliver his best. That was evident in the seventh round battle against Wei Yi. He played fantastic chess to beat his nemesis, a rivalry which has been building since the beginning of the year. The remaining three games ending in draws meant Gukesh's win gave India their first win over China in decades. Iran is the only team trailing them at 13/14. GM R Vaishali and IM Vantika Agrawal scored the crucial victories over IM Lela Javakhishvili and GM Bella Khotenashvili respectively, to increase India Women's lead by two points. Poland, Kazakhstan and France are at 12/14 each. Iran will take on Indian men and Poland against Indian women in Round 8. It begins today at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Michal Walusza

45th Chess Olympiad Day 6: Photos that tell the tale

18/09/2024 -

Did you know that only amateur players were allowed to play in the Olympics earlier? The intention was to prefer athletes who compete for their ‘love’ for the game rather than for ‘financial gain’. In 1924, chess was not included in the Olympic because it was difficult to clearly distinguish between amateur and professional players. However, true chess lovers did not give up! They conducted the first unofficial Chess Olympiad alongside the Olympics in Paris. The closing day of the Olympiad was the birthday of FIDE - 20th July 1924. This was the biggest step in the chess world! After that, FIDE organized the first-ever official Chess Olympiad in 1927 in London. Cut to the present, 380 teams with 1736 players have participated in the 45th Official Chess Olympiad! Every chess lover should be proud of being a part of this event – as an authority, organizer, participant, coach, journalist, or as viewer! And just like the Olympiad has its story, every picture from Day 6 reveals one of its own. Let's discover some of these pictures.

Harish Sharma sensational at 1st SDCA Rapid Rating Open 2024

18/09/2024 -

Harish Sharma scored an unbeaten 8.5/9 to win 1st SDCA Rapid Rating Open 2024. He finished a half point ahead of the rest. Five playeres - FM Garv Gaur, Dhyey Agarwal, Kartavya Anadkat, IM Aaryan Varshney and CM Vivaan Vishal Shah scored 8/9 each. They secured second to sixth place according to tie-breaks. Top four finishers remained undefeated. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹25000, ₹15000 and ₹10000 along with a trophy each respectively. The two-day rapid rating tournament was organized by Surat District Chess Association on 24th and 25th August 2024 at P R Khatiwala Sankul in Surat, Gujarat. This is Harish's second rating tournament triumph of the year. He is the reigning 11th National Amateur Below 2300 Open champion. Photos: Ravindra Potawad

Soham Bhattacharyya dominates 1st SXCCAA All Bengal Rapid Rating Open 2024

18/09/2024 -

Soham Bhattacharyya scored an unbeaten 10.5/11 to win 1st SXCCAA All Bengal Rapid Rating Open 2024. He won the tournament with a round to spare. Soham finished a whopping 1.5 points ahead of the competition. Five players - Sneha Halder, Maitreyi Mondal, Debapriya Manna, Jion Ghosh and Swapnabha Neogi scored 9/11 each. They were placed second to sixth each respectively according to tie-breaks. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹20000, ₹16000 and ₹12000 along with a trophy each respectively. World no.4 and India no.1 - GM Arjun Erigaisi was the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony. He also played Simultaneous exhibition games. This is Soham's third rating tournament triumph of the year. Photos: Shahid Ahmed

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