D Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa have been selected to represent the Indian team at the 45th Chess Olympiad scheduled to take place in Budapest, Hungary.
For Gukesh, this Olympiad presents a crucial opportunity to further hone his skills ahead of a significant challenge in November. He is set to face off against China’s defending champion, Ding Liren, in the World Chess Championship. The 18-year-old Gukesh has had an exceptional year, highlighted by his victory at the Candidates Chess Tournament in Toronto last April, where he became the youngest player ever to reach a World Championship final.
Joining them in the Indian squad are Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Harikrishna Pentala, as confirmed by Nitin Narang, the president of the All India Chess Federation (AICF).
The women’s team includes Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Aggarwal, and Tania Sachdev. Notably absent from the lineup is Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, who clinched a bronze medal in 2022. Narang mentioned ongoing discussions with coaches regarding preparations for a pre-event training camp.
India, which hosted the previous edition of the Olympiad in 2022, secured bronze medals in both the open and women’s categories. The upcoming event marks the 45th edition of the Olympiad and Hungary’s inaugural hosting of the tournament. The first unofficial Chess Olympiad was held back in 1926.
Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa have carved out impressive careers in chess. Gukesh’s triumph at the Candidates Chess Tournament earlier this year solidified his reputation as a rising star in the chess world. Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa, known for his exceptional talent from a young age, continues to impress with his strategic prowess and determination on the chessboard. Most notably, Praggnanandhaa recently got into the history books of Indian chess after defeating World Number 1, Magnus Carlsen in June 2024.
The inclusion of these young talents underscores India’s commitment to nurturing and showcasing its burgeoning chess talent on the global stage.
