India Wins First Gold at Chess Olympiad

India achieved a historic milestone at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, winning gold medals for both the men's and women's teams for the first time. The men's team, led by 18-year-old Grandmaster D Gukesh, secured victory against Slovenia with a dominant score of 3.5-0.5 in the final round, with Gukesh himself achieving an impressive 9 points from 10 games. Gukesh expressed his satisfaction with his performance, stating he focused on team success rather than individual accolades during the tournament. Meanwhile, the women's team triumphed over Azerbaijan, with standout performances from veteran D Harika and young talent Divya Deshmukh, who also earned an individual gold medal. Celebrations erupted as the teams mimicked a famous cricket moment, showcasing their joy and unifying the nation in this achievement. This victory marks a significant step forward for Indian chess, which had previously only secured bronze medals in past Olympiads.