NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met India’s young chess talents on Wednesday for their ground breaking success at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Both the men’s and women’s teams won their first-ever gold medals.
India’s men’s chess team triumphed over Slovenia, while the women’s team claimed victory against Azerbaijan in the final round, setting a historic milestone for the country.
During a meeting with the Prime Minister, chess players presented him with a chessboard. Following this, Praggnanandhaa and Erigaisi played a quick game of chess which fascinated Prime Minister Modi.
Watch: PM Modi observes the chess face-off between Praggnanandhaa and Erigaisi
The Indian men’s chess team showcased exceptional performance in Budapest, concluding the tournament with 21 out of a possible 22 points. The squad, which included D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa, excelled in their matches, particularly during the 11th and final round.
D Gukesh emerged as the standout player, winning 10 out of his 11 rounds in the Open category. His contributions were vital in leading India to victory. The team’s only draw came against Uzbekistan, with the remaining matches won decisively.
With these performances, the Indian team confirmed their dominance in the competition.