Vishy Anand to lead the strongest team India at FIDE Online Olympiad 2021
A little over two weeks ago, FIDE announced about its second edition of the Online Olympiad which will take place between 13th August and 15th September 2021. Vishy Anand will once again spearhead the Indian team to go for a second Gold medal. The team comprises - Anand, Harikrishna, Vidit, Adhiban, Nihal, Praggnanandhaa, Humpy, Harika, Tania, Bhakti, Vaishali and Savitha. Gukesh and Srinath Narayanan will be providing support to the team. Non-playing captain of the team will be Arjuna awardee GM Abhijit Kunte. The Indian campaign at the FIDE Online Cup 2021 will start on 8th September. Photo: Amruta Mokal
Team India aiming for second consecutive Gold
Five times world Champion Viswanathan Anand will lead the team of India in the second FIDE Online Olympiad scheduled to be held from 8th-15th September (Indian campaign). The Indian team, that jointly won the gold medal alongside main competitors Russia, will be looking at repeating the feat and this time, hopefully, as a single winner of the gold medal.
For the first time ever, the Indian team has got an official sponsorship. One of the pioneers of Wi-Fi Internet providers in the country, MICROSENSE, will be the key sponsor.
This time the team comprises of Vishy Anand, Vidit Gujrathi, Pentala Harikrishna, B Adhiban, Nihal Sarin, R Praggnanandhaa, Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika, Tania Sachdev, Bhakti Kulkarni, R Vaishali and Savitha Shri B. GM Abhijit Kunte will be the non-playing Vice Captain.
_KTDMT_1024x683.jpeg)
The Indian Chess Federation has ensured the best for the team. All the players will be provided a single room in a five-star hotel in Chennai from where all the matches will be played. Contrary to the last Olympiad, a three tier internet connection along with support from two Grandmasters – D Gukesh and N Srinath has been done to make the team achieve another gold medal.
The first leg is scheduled to have ten teams from which two teams qualify and thereafter a knockout format has been decided by FIDE, the apex chess body. All the games will be available live for the chess buffs.
“To bring the team together in one place is a dream come true in present times. We do not give any pressure, our aim is to have a healthy atmosphere where the team get along well", said AICF President Sanjay Kapoor about providing the extra facility.
“This is only the beginning of many more good things to come for Indian chess. We are working in several departments to bring the benefits of the game and our aim is simple – to make India the number one chess playing nation in the world", said Bharat Singh Chauhan, the honorary secretary of the federation.
Source: Press Release
