India sweeps FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024 with 2 team gold medals in team events and 4 board gold medals

India scripted history in the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024. Both the men's and the women's teams won the gold medals to retain the Gaprindashvili Trophy. Additionally, four individuals won the gold medals in their respective boards. For the first time in the history of the Chess Olympiad, India has won a gold medal in both the men's and the women's teams.

The men's team was the first to achieve the feat as they beat the USA to nearly confirm a gold medal for themselves in the Open section. By beating Slovenia in Round 11, the men's team completed an unbeaten campaign to win gold. Likewise, the women's team won the gold medal by beating Azerbaijan in Round 11.

Gukesh Dommaraju was the star of the show on the men's team. From the Individual Board 1, he claimed some massive wins for India. Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, one of India's best players, wasn't in his best form. Yet, it did not hamper the men's team who won ten of their 11 games. 

4 individual gold medals for India at the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024

While the men's team only drew against the USA, the women's team lost a solitary game. Despite losing to Poland, India made a good return and beat China and Azerbaijan in the last two rounds to win the gold medal. In the process, India retained the Gaprindashvili Trophy they won in Chennai in 2022.

Individually, Indian stars claimed 4 gold medals. In the Men's Individual Board 1, Gukesh reigned supreme by beating some of the higher-ranked players. He won his respective board. Arjun Erigaisi was impressive in his performance. He won the individual gold medal from the Board 3 at the Chess Olympiad.

In the women's department, Divya Deshmukh was the star of the show and won an individual gold medal in the Board 3. Likewise, Vantika Agrawal won the gold medal in the Individual Board 4. Together, they made India proud. Gukesh will be in action in the World Championships later this year which will take place in Singapore.