World Championship challenger D Gukesh said he does not think about his personal achievements and is “willing to do anything” to lead India to a gold medal at the 2024 Chess Olympiad even though he nearly lost in previous editions.
The 18-year-old Gukesh played a key role in India’s historic win as the men’s team beat Slovenia 3.5-0.5 in the final round to win their first Olympiad gold medal. The Indian women’s team also won gold, marking a historic double medal for the country.
Grandmaster Gukesh, who registered eight wins in 11 rounds, told the International Chess Federation (FIDE) after the match, “I am feeling very good, especially the quality of my game and the way we played as a team and despite many close defeats in the past, we managed to win dominantly this time. I am very happy right now.”
India’s men’s team was on the verge of winning the gold medal after beating USA 2.5-1.5 on Saturday. Needing only a draw in the final round, the team beat Slovenia to finish on top. “Yesterday when we were in the team meeting, we were already in a celebratory mood. I was very excited but I was expecting there to be no games. We forced ourselves to focus and come here, work and then celebrate,” he said.
India created history by winning the gold medals in both the open and women’s categories in the 45th minute. #chessolympiad,
-Steve Bonhage pic.twitter.com/lyeU75SHYu
– International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) September 22, 2024
He said, “I felt even if we lost the match, we would win in the tie-break. We wanted to win the match. We were expecting to win. We were all quite relaxed. But yes, I am happy that Arjun and I got the job done.”
The Indian men had earlier won two bronze medals at the Olympiad – in 2014 and 2022 (held in Chennai). Gukesh was in great form in Chennai, winning eight of his first nine matches but a loss against Uzbekistan ended India’s title hopes. He was relieved to have completed the job this time, “This tournament for me, especially after what happened last time, we were very close to the goal of winning as a team. This time I thought no matter what I do, the team’s goal has to be anything to win,” Gukesh told. Chess24,
“I didn’t think much about the individual performance. I just wanted the team to win this time.” Gukesh’s impressive performance included a sensational win over world number three Fabiano Caruana in the crucial match against the USA on Saturday.
“I think it’s just a matter of maintaining discipline and staying focused on the tournament. And once you get into the rhythm, everything falls into place. Once I got the first four wins, I felt I was set for a great tournament,” said Gukesh, who will challenge China’s Ding Liren for the world title later this year.
Indian team spirit! Celebration time! Olympiad champions!
#BudapestOlympiad #FIDE100 @FIDE_Chess @aicfchess @WOMCess pic.twitter.com/jzJXBzQOs1
— Susan Polgar (@susanpolgar) September 22, 2024
Asked how the team will celebrate, Gukesh said: “Hopefully tonight, when all the work is done, we will get together and maybe hang out, have a bit of a laugh.”
– ‘We were made for this’: Sachdev on Indian women winning their first title at the Chess Olympiad
After winning her first Olympiad gold on Sunday, Tania Sachdev said the Indian women’s team was made for the title. The Indian team of Sachdev, Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Divya Deshmukh and Vantika Agrawal, along with coach Abhijeet Kunte, beat Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5 in the final round to finish on top.
“I am very overwhelmed right now. I am very proud of my team, what we have achieved in the Open (category and) Women’s. Now when I look back, I feel this was the moment we were made for,” Sachdev said. Chess.com,
The Indian women had won the bronze medal in the 2022 edition and Vaishali described that experience as a tough one for her team. “I still remember last year, we lost in the last round. Honestly, I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about those things, but I am very happy that we played as a team,” said Grandmaster Vaishali.
FIDE International Master and GM Sachdev echoed the same sentiment and said, “I think last time it didn’t happen like Vaishali said, it was very, very tough. It was tough to celebrate the bronze medal last time and I am very happy right now.”
Mike Klein spoke to the Indian Women’s team after winning the match. Vaishali: “So happy that we finally won. I still remember how bad it was last year when we lost in the last round. To be honest, I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about those things!” #chessolympiad pic.twitter.com/7E34AUKByp
– chess24 (@chess24com) September 22, 2024
GM Harika said that finally after 20 years she was able to fulfill her dream. After winning her game in the final round, Harika said, “I came to the Olympics 20 years ago at the age of 13 with a dream of winning a medal and finally today it can happen!”
“It has been a roller-coaster ride for me during this tournament and I am glad that the girls performed well in the important matches and finally we all came together as a team and we won the last game, so it means a lot. We have played all the strongest teams here and I think we deserve it,” Harika said.
Divya Deshmukh said the team will go for lunch after the win, while IM and GM Vantika Agrawal expressed relief at securing the win. “I am feeling very happy and relieved. For the last two days I was very tensed about what was going to happen, but knowing that we have won this match with a high score, (I) feel very happy.”