The stage is set for an epic finale at the Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest, Hungary, as India stands poised to etch their name in history. The second-seeded Indian men’s team, seeking their first-ever gold medal, needs only a draw against Slovenia in the final round to secure the coveted prize. Meanwhile, the top-seeded Indian women’s team faces a more demanding task against Azerbaijan, requiring a victory to stay in contention for gold.
Open Section: A Draw for Gold
The Indian men’s team, boasting a formidable lineup, has been on a relentless march towards the top. Their final encounter against Slovenia promises to be a tense affair. The pairings are:
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Board 1:
Vladimir Fedoseev (Slovenia, 2692) vs D Gukesh (India, 2764)*
Board 2:
R. Praggnanandhaa (India, 2750) vs Anton Demchenko (Slovenia, 2597)*
Board 3:
Jan Subelj (Slovenia, 2498) vs Arjun Erigaisi (India, 2778)*
Board 4:
Vidit Gujrathi (India, 2720) vs Matej Sebenik (Slovenia, 2515)
Women’s Section: A Must-Win Situation
The Indian women’s team, led by the experienced Harika Dronavalli, has been a force to be reckoned with throughout the competition. However, their gold medal aspirations hang in the balance as they face Azerbaijan in the final round. The match-ups are:
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Board 1:
Harika Dronavalli (India, 2502) vs Gunay Mammadzada (Azerbaijan, 2433)*
Board 2:
Ulviyya Fataliyeva (Azerbaijan, 2378) vs Vaishali R. (India, 2498)*
Board 3:
Divya Deshmukh (India, 2483) vs Govhar Beydullayeva (Azerbaijan, 2395)*
Board 4:
Khanim Balajayeva (Azerbaijan, 2384) vs Vantika Agrawal (India, 2370)
Catch the Action Live!
The final round of the Chess Olympiad 2024 is set to be a thrilling spectacle. You can catch all the action live on the FIDE YouTube channel. While there has been no official announcement regarding television broadcasting in India, fans can keep an eye out for updates.
India’s Dominant Round 10 Performance
In Round 10, the Indian men’s team secured a 2.5-1.5 victory over the USA, while the women’s team defeated China with an identical score. These wins propelled the Indian teams into their respective final round confrontations with a strong sense of confidence.
The Chess Olympiad 2024 has already been a historic event for India, and the final round promises to be a nail-biting climax. Stay tuned for updates and results!
