Chess Olympiad 2024: Viswanathan Anand Reacts as India Close in on Historic Gold in Open Category

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The Indian men's chess team continued their solid show, closing in on a historic gold medal following a victory over USA in the 10th round of the open category at the ongoing International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Olympiad 2024 at Budapest on Saturday (September 21).

India defeated USA by 2.5-1.5 in the 10th round. D Gukesh, India's FIDE Candidates tournament winner, won against Fabiano Caruana by 1-0 to open the proceedings.

Though the prodigious R Praggnanadhaa recorded a rare failure against Wesley So by 0-1, India bounced back in the round with Arjun Erigaisi's 1-0 win against Leinier Perez while Vidit Gujrathi had a 0.5-0.5 draw against Levon Aronian.

The victory all but sealed India's gold. However, China and Solvenia are mathematically still alive in the race to finish top of the standings if results go their way.

Following the result, wishes poured in from chess greats, including Indian legend Viswanathan Anand, as India were on the verge of creating history in the final round on Sunday (September 22) in the Chess Olympiad.

Taking to social media, former World Champion Anand congratulated the Indian men's team on creating history, and also had a special mention for Gukesh and Erigaisi for their individual results before correcting himself on the final standings yet to be decided.

"Congratulations to the Indian men's team for winning the Olympiad with a round to spare, historic performance! Simply awe-inspiring play. Congratulations to @DGukesh and @ArjunErigaisi for their individual results as well!" Anand posted on X.

"I understand this may not be mathematically certain, I apologise for jumping the gun, I got a bit carried away," Anand posted in his follow up tweet.

Meanwhile, American Grand Master Hiraku Nakamura praised Anand's contribution in inspiring kids in India to push the game forward, but receive flak for calling the country with "no chess culture".

"It is truly unfathomable how this kid would come from a country with no chess culture and not only become World Champion, but inspire generations of Indian kids to push chess forward. The legend, @vishy64theking! Huge congratulations to India for winning the @ChessOlympiad!," Nakamura posted on X.

World Chess Hall of Famer Susan Polgar also took to social media to state the victory over USA has all but sealed the deal for India in the ongoing Chess Olympiad 2024.

"With a victory over the US in round 10, 🇮🇳 India 🇮🇳 basically sealed the deal for Olympiad Gold! Congratulations to team India! Very impressive performance!" Polgar posted on X.

Earlier, Indian men's team had won eight rounds in a row before their streak came to an end with a draw in ninth round. India sits at the top of the table with 19 match points after 10 rounds. India is on-route to receive their first-ever open section gold on Sunday (September 22).

India's best performances in the Chess Olympiad include two bronze medals in 2014 and 2022. In an online Olympiad back in 2020 during COVID-19 though, India shared the gold with Russia.

In the women's section also India lead the standing with 19 points and are on course to winning gold in the final round of the Chess Olympiad 2024. India women has won eight rounds, lost one and drawn one so far.