Indian teams had a strong start at the 45th Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest, with the men’s team defeating Morocco 4-0 and the women’s team besting Jamaica 3.5-0.5 in Round 1. Key victories were secured by Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna in the men’s section, and by Vaishali R, Divya Deshmukh, and Tania Sachdev in the women’s section. Arjun Erigaisi, known for his aggressive play, led the team to a 4-0 win against Iceland in Round 2. India’s team, featuring top players like Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa, is one of the strongest ever fielded with high expectations of winning gold. The Indian teams are highly rated and strategically positioned for strong performances, aiming to capitalize on the absence of Russia and the inclusion of China.