The All India Chess Federation (AICF) celebrated the historic victory of the Indian chess teams at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest with a grand felicitation ceremony on Wednesday. The ceremony was marked by the announcement of a whopping Rs 3.2 crore in rewards for the champions.
Each player from the gold-winning men’s and women’s teams will receive a substantial Rs 25 lakh. The captains of the teams, Abhijeet Kunte (men’s team) and Srinath Narayanan (women’s team), will be rewarded with Rs 15 lakh each. Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, the head of the Indian delegation, will receive Rs 10 lakh, and the assistant coaches will be awarded Rs 7.5 lakh.
AICF president Nitin Narang, during the ceremony, highlighted the significance of the victory, stating, “The hunger for gold ended in Hungary, but the desire for success continues. In the open section we dominated and in women’s section we owned it.” He further commended the players, calling them “sharp shooters on the chessboard.”
AICF secretary general Dev A Patel echoed the sentiment, stating that the twin gold medals will usher in a chess revolution in the country. “In 97 years of the Chess Olympiad, we won gold in both categories. It’s a historic achievement,” Patel said. “This will give a new spark to chess enthusiasts. We will look to use this momentum to encourage the next generation of chess players.”
India’s performance at the 45th Chess Olympiad was truly remarkable. The men’s team, featuring the likes of D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa, displayed impressive dominance throughout the tournament, culminating in a victory over Slovenia in the final round. Gukesh, the star performer, secured an astounding 10 wins out of 11 rounds, propelling India to the top with an impressive 21 points out of a possible 22.
The women’s team, led by D Harika, Tania Sachdev, and R Vaishali, also displayed remarkable resilience, overcoming Azerbaijan in a tense final to clinch their maiden gold medal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognizing the magnitude of this achievement, personally congratulated the champions earlier on Wednesday, commending their dedication and the positive impact they have made on Indian sports. This victory is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Indian chess players and promises a bright future for the sport in India.
