This Is 'Golden Era' of Indian Chess, Says Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay on India's Chess Olympiad Triumph

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In a remarkable achievement for Indian chess, the country has secured a historic double gold medal at the 45th Chess Olympiad 2024. Arjun Erigaisi, D Gukesh, and R Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious in their matches against Slovenia, propelling India to an astounding 3.5-0.5 win.

This triumphant result secured India's first-ever team gold medal. In addition, Gukesh and Erigaisi earned individual board medals on Board 1 and Board 3, respectively. The Indian women's team followed suit with a stunning victory over Azerbaijan, clinching the gold with an identical score of 3.5-0.5.

MyKhel spoke to former Indian Grandmaster, Pravin Thipsay, a legend in the chess community with seven Indian Chess Championship titles and seven Chess Olympiad participations under his belt. Reflecting on India's extraordinary achievement, Thipsay remarked, "This is truly something we wouldn't have dreamed of when we first played in the Olympiad. But it hasn't happened suddenly. We are now in a golden era of Indian chess."

The Arjuna awardee, Thipsay explained that this victory is the culmination of years of progress. "In 2006, led by Viswanathan Anand, we had a fantastic opportunity. The team could have won a medal, and they finished 30th. In 2014, despite our hopes, China bested us in Anand's absence," he recounted.

In comparing this success to the 2022 Olympiad where India won a bronze on home soil, Thipsay observed, "The 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai was a turning point. The bronze medal was an eye-opener. Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Nihal Sarin proved India 2 was stronger than the first team. These youngsters have now claimed the gold in 2024."

India's chess future looks brighter than ever. "The youngsters are doing exceptionally well, and I have observed this change up close," Thipsay concluded.