By: Lebohang Maluke
MASERU
– Lesotho’s initial attack into the Olympiad was a stark reminder of the simultaneously engulfing skill and experience between themselves and their competitors from Bangladesh and Peru.
Despite valiant effort, Lesotho’s chess warriors were outmatched and defeated, leaving them with a crushing 4-0 defeat across both the open section and women’s division.
The crucible of the 2024 Chess Olympiad was a baptism by fire for Lesotho’s chess gladiators, as they navigated the double-crossing territory of a competition that showcased the world’s finest chess talent.
Embarking on the difficult journey of the 2024 Chess Olympiad, Lesotho’s knights found themselves on the receiving end of a merciless win, as they clashed with chess heavyweights Bangladesh and Peru in the first round of the competition.
Faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, Lesotho’s warriors valiantly battled against the formidable onslaught of their foes, but their resolve resulted in a crushing defeat for both the open section and women’s division.
Namibia’s chess gladiators showcased their strategic acumen and fighting spirit in the hallowed halls of the 45th FIDE World Chess Olympiad, etching their names in the annals of the nation’s chess history.
With the determination of a charging elephant, the Open Section team broke barriers and established a new high-water mark for Namibia, securing a record-breaking 101st-place finish, an accolade that will resonate through the nation’s chess community for years to come.
Namibia’s women’s chess team shone like a beacon of pride, illuminating the hallowed halls of the 45th FIDE World Chess Olympiad with their strategic flair and unwavering determination.
While the road to achieving the coveted FM title proved elusive for Nepando and Heskiel, their performances were nevertheless a testament to Namibia’s rising prowess on the global chess stage, a symbol of hope and promise for the nation’s aspiring chess warriors.
India’s chess players have made history by securing team gold medals in both the men’s and women’s categories at the 45th International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Olympiad held in Budapest. Alongside their team victories, India also achieved four individual gold medals as the tournament concluded in the Hungarian capital on Sunday.
The gold in the men’s event, referred to as the Open event, was clinched by Gukesh Dommaraju (commonly known as Gukesh D), Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun Erigaisi. Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev each won their respective matches to secure gold.
The competition commenced positively, but it became somewhat challenging midway; however, I take pride in our response to the situation and our ability to recover,” she remarked during the winners’ press conference.
Hungarian-American chess legend Susan Polgar praised Deshmukh’s performance throughout the tournament. India was recognized as a joint winner in the men’s category alongside Russia in the 2020 edition, which took place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are extremely pleased with our teamwork,” Gukesh stated following the victory.
Eighteen-year-old Deshmukh emerged as a prominent competitor in the women’s division, remaining unbeaten with seven victories and four draws out of her eleven games.
Anand, a two-time winner of the Chess World Cup, expressed that the achievement was the culmination of several years of effort. He noted that for India to secure both team and individual accolades surpassed his expectations.
The men’s team achieved an impressive record, winning 27 out of 44 matches, with only one loss and six draws. In their final round, they triumphed over Slovenia with a score of 3.5-0.5, while the women’s team also secured victory against Azerbaijan with the same result.
Gukesh, who has qualified for the World Chess Championship final in November, conveyed his happiness regarding the team’s decisive performance, especially after experiencing near misses in previous competitions. India, the unassailable titan of the men’s division, claimed first place with a resounding 21 points, while in the women’s category, India also emerged victorious with a commanding 19 points.
The USA, Uzbekistan, and China followed close on India’s heels in the men’s division, each with 17 points, demonstrating their formidable prowess on the chess board. The USA, Kazakhstan, and Spain stood tall in the women’s division, showcasing their strategic brilliance and strategic acumen.
The India chess juggernaut, a titan of strategy and skill, ascended the pinnacle of the Budapest Chess Olympiad, claiming the coveted gold medal as the world’s premier chess superpower. With a resolute march towards victory that saw them vanquish all opposition in their path, India cemented their place in the annals of chess history, a testament to the enduring strength and resolve of their national chess community.