Chennai: The 44th Chess Olympiad that began on 28th July concluded on August 9th with India bagging an array of medals. Indian women’s team scripted history by winning the maiden medal in the women’s category while team men claimed their second.
While India took pride in hosting the Chess Olympiad and earned praise for a spectacular show as hosts, local heroes Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and his sister, International Master Rameshbabu Vaishali gave the Chennai crowd plenty to cheer for by walking up on the stage together after bagging bronze medals in individual events.
Besides the team events, as many as 7 medals in singles including two gold, one silver and 4 bronze were taken by the Indian players. India also won the Gaprindashvili Cup for their collective performance in both the open and women’s sections.
This is the first time India hosted the world’s biggest chess tournament. Uzbekistan and Ukraine emerged as winners in the open and women’s championships respectively.