India triumphs at 45th Chess Olympiad, winning both Open and Women’s competitions
India has come a long way since Vishy Anand paved the way for the new generation of chess players. Young talents have emerged and grown to become some of the top players in the world. Gukesh D triumphed at the Candidates Tournament earlier this year, and now India has completely dominated the 45th Chess Olympiad. The team of Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Harikrishna Pentala, with Srinath Narayanan as the captain, led throughout the tournament, winning 10 matches and drawing just one. Before the last round, they were 2 points ahead of China. In the final round, India only needed a draw to clinch the gold medals or for China not to win their match. However, India continued to press for a win and defeated Slovenia 3.5-0.5. Gukesh played a phenomenal tournament, scoring 9 points in 10 games and earning the individual gold medal on the top board. Arjun Erigaisi was also a hero of the team, scoring 10 points in 11 games and winning individual gold on board three. Both significantly improved their FIDE ratings and are close to clearing the 2800 bar. In fact, Erigaisi is only a couple of points short of this feat. The women’s team had a very strong start, leading the event after 7 rounds, having won all their matches. They stumbled in round 8, losing to Poland and then drawing with Team USA, but made a strong finish. Going into the final round, India was tied for first with Kazakhstan, and the race for the medals was down to the wire. The team of Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali R, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev, with Abhijit Kunte as the captain, demonstrated excellent composure and delivered, winning the final match against Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5. At the same time, Kazakhstan only drew with the USA 2-2, making India the sole winners of the event. 18-year-old Divya Deshmukh, a new addition to the team, was unstoppable throughout the event. She played all games, scored 9.5 points, and secured the crucial victory in the final match. Individual gold on board three is a well-deserved award for her. The fight for silver and bronze medals was fierce in both sections. Five teams tied for second place. Team USA, the event’s rating favorite, defeated China in a hard-fought final round to join them at 17 points. Defending champions Uzbekistan narrowly beat France, Serbia triumphed over Ukraine 3.5-0.5, and Armenia narrowly defeated Iran, all to join the pack at 17 points. The tiebreaks favored the USA, which claimed silver, and Uzbekistan, taking bronze. In the women’s section, Kazakhstan delivered a strong performance throughout the event, fighting for gold until the very end, and ultimately claimed silver. Four teams – USA, Spain, Armenia, and Georgia – tied for third place, but the tiebreaks favored team USA, which claimed the bronze medals. Results of the top matches in the final round: Open: (16) Slovenia 0.5-3.5 India (19)(17) China 1.5-2.5 USA (15)(15) Spain 2-2 Hungary (15)(15) Uzbekistan 2.5-1.5 France (15)(15) Serbia 3.5-0.5 Ukraine (15)(15) Armenia 2.5-1.5 Iran (14) Women: (17) Kazakhstan 2-2 USA (16)(17) India 3.5-0.5 Azerbaijan (15)(16) Poland 0.5-3.5 Georgia (15)(15) Hungary 0.5-3.5 Spain (15)(15) Armenia 3-1 Germany (14) Final standings of the top teams: Open: India – 21 USA – 17 Uzbekistan – 17 China – 17 Serbia – 17 Armenia – 17 Germany – 16 Azerbaijan – 16 Slovenia – 16 Spain – 16 Women: India – 19 Kazakhstan – 18 USA – 17 Spain – 17 Armenia – 17 Georgia – 17 China – 16 Ukraine – 16 Poland – 16 Bulgaria – 16 Full results: Chess-results.com – 45th Chess Olympiad Written by WGM Anna Burtasova Photos: Michal Walusza, Mark Livshitz and Maria Emelianova See more Round 11 photos on FIDE Flickr Official website: chessolympiad2024.fide.com
Women & chess: FIDE’s mission to bridge gender gaps
During the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, the Women’s Commission hosted the “Women & Chess & Balance” conference—a gathering dedicated to exploring how chess can drive gender equality and empower women both on and off the board The event brought together experts, advocates, and chess professionals from around the globe, tackling the multifaceted challenges women face in the chess world while also offering forward-thinking solutions that extend beyond the game. Leontxo García, the renowned Spanish chess commentator and author, hosted the conference, guiding an audience through an intense day of presentations, panels and discussions. Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of FIDE’s Management Board, opened the conference with a powerful message on FIDE’s commitment to supporting women in chess and beyond. Reizniece-Ozola, who also served as Latvia’s Minister of Finance, spoke candidly about her experiences navigating male-dominated fields. “I see it as my personal mission and very much FIDE’s mission to improve women’s chess… We want to encourage young women chess players not to stop their active chess careers”. Reizniece-Ozola emphasized FIDE’s mission to enhance opportunities for women in chess, notably focusing on increasing female participation in the Olympiads and reducing the prize gaps between open and women’s events. Anastasia Sorokina, Chair of the Women’s Chess Commission, added to this by highlighting efforts to integrate more women into chess roles outside of playing—encouraging participation as organizers, arbiters, and even media professionals. The National Female Team Initiative TrisAnn Richards, President of the Saint Lucia Chess Federation, introduced the National Female Team Initiative, aimed at increasing the number of female teams participating in major chess events. The initiative was launched to tackle disparities between male and female representation in the Olympiads, citing a 2022 statistic where only 151 female teams competed compared to 188 male teams. By identifying structural issues like funding and lack of female players, the initiative seeks to secure more investment in women’s chess, elevating its status worldwide. Managing your mate: Aruna Anand’s view Aruna Anand, wife and former manager of five-time World Chess Champion Vishy Anand, shared personal insights about the unique challenges of managing both a family and a world chess champion. An advertising professional by education, she was the manager of her husband and five-time world champion, Vishy Anand. Her reflections on balancing personal and professional life resonated deeply with attendees, showcasing how even in the fast-paced world of professional chess, family support is pivotal. ChessMom: A game-changer for female players with children For the first time ever at a chess Olympiad, mothers of newly born/young children were able to bring them, alongside with an accompanying person, to be with them during the competition. This is thanks to the ChessMom project launched last year, initiated by Cruz Arce, Francisco J. (Puerto Rico) who explained how a team member from his country ended up missing an event because she had a child. “I thought – how many players have we lost because of this… We want to mitigate the impact on female players – so they have an accompanying person with them. These five players who came to the Olympiad [in Budapest] are a message we are sending. “What’s next? We want this to increase and not be limited only to the chess Olympiad. We want the federations to be involved as well. America is the first one to do it. In November, we have the female continental tournament, and we want to spread the word and have other nations join this effort”. Round table on work-life balance Judit Polgar, the strongest female chess player in history, shared her experiences during a round table discussion on balancing family life and a professional chess career. Speaking about her challenges as a mother and a chess player, Polgar explained how becoming a parent impacted her chess career and life: “Everything changed when my son was born. We wanted him very much. I started to play more relaxed [after that]. In the first tournament after having a baby, I understood that a chess tournament can be a relaxation. “Priorities completely changed, but I felt much better – like a complete person. Chess was very important for me but not as before. When I was not cooking and dealing with the kids, then I was focusing more on chess. I became more efficient, I guess”, Polgar said. Gender equality and the “motherhood penalty” in chess Australian Grandmaster David Smerdon, an economist and FIDE WOM member, shed light on the existing gaps in chess performance between men and women. Citing scientific papers and research data, Smerdon pointed out that the gap between women and men in event participation is narrowing but noted a high-performance gap. The reasons for this, according to research cited by Smerdon, are – social stereotypes, differences in attitudes towards risk between men and women but, also, the “motherhood penalty” – where the data showed that women chess players lose ELO when they give birth, while the ELO remains the same for male players who have just become parents. Smerdon said that there is “a lot of research in the field” and that there are still many unanswered questions in this field. Chess for peace: Empowering refugees through the game Ukrainian WGM, photographer, commentator, and journalist Anastasia Karlovich shared moving insights into her work with refugees from Ukraine and the Kakuma camp in Kenya, focusing on how chess has provided solace and empowerment to girls affected by war. She emphasized that chess, beyond being a game, became a therapeutic tool, offering a sense of control and mental discipline during times of chaos. In particular, five participants from Ukraine who came to Hungary for the event shared their stories. These girls spoke of how chess gave them not only a mental escape but also a source of strength and confidence in an uncertain world. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Denis Burko
How chess is transforming lives: 2024 #SocialChess Conference in Budapest
On September 21, 2024, Budapest hosted the #SocialChess conference, a gathering of FIDE officials, Social Commission members, and project leaders dedicated to leveraging chess for societal good. The event underscored FIDE’s commitment to using chess as a transformative tool across various social initiatives worldwide, with the announcement of 2025 being declared as the “Social Chess Year.” The conference was opened by Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Deputy Chair of the FIDE Management Board, who stressed the importance of collective action in bringing positive change through chess. “This meeting allows us to share ideas, updates, and plans for the future,” she said. Reizniece-Ozola invoked a poignant quote from Imants Ziedonis, a renowned Latvian poet: “You can gain by taking, but you can also gain by giving. And those things that you give away, nobody can take from you.” She suggested this could serve as a guiding motto for the Social Commission, affirming that “this is just the beginning. We are helping people change lives with a wonderful tool we have in our hands—chess.” 2025: The Year of Social Chess André Vögtlin, Chair of the FIDE Social Commission, introduced the central theme of 2025 as the “Year of Social Chess.” In line with FIDE’s 10 goals for the next 100 years, he emphasized that social impact stands as a crucial objective. Vögtlin invited federations, organizations, and individuals involved in social outreach through chess to collaborate with FIDE in advancing this mission. Project highlights Several major initiatives spearheaded by the Social Commission were showcased during the conference, revealing the profound influence chess can have in different social contexts. – Chess for Protection: Sonja Johnson, a FIDE Social Commission member, presented updates on this initiative, particularly its work in Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp. Partnering with UNHCR, FIDE has been teaching chess to children, offering them a valuable educational and social tool. Despite the camp’s challenging conditions, Johnson reported that 1,350 primary school students and 350 secondary students are now involved in the program. She also shared the success of increasing female participation and the inspiring story of students transitioning into facilitators. A documentary is in production to raise awareness and attract new partners for the project’s future growth. The initiative is also set to expand to the Americas, including the US-Mexico border and Panama. – Chess for Freedom: Mikhail Korenman, FIDE Social Commission Councillor, reported on the success of this project aimed at rehabilitating inmates through chess. Initially launched at Cook County Jail in the U.S., the project has shown significant behavioral improvements among inmates who participated in chess coaching for six months or longer. Korenman shared plans for expansion, including increasing the number of participating countries and correctional institutions, with aspirations to elevate the current intercontinental tournament to a full-fledged world championship for inmates. – Infinite Chess: Maria Tamkovich, the project’s coordinator, delivered a presentation on using chess to assist children with ASD. Since its inception in 2021, the project has grown to involve 19 countries. A handbook for teaching chess to children with ASD, now available in multiple languages, has been a crucial resource. Tamkovich also provided insights from recent research, highlighting chess’s positive impact on cognitive and behavioral development in children with ASD. Testimonials from project facilitators and therapists accompanied her presentation. – Chess for elderly and Chess for life: PD Dr. Prabhita Urwyler, who leads this initiative, discussed how chess can play a vital role in improving cognitive health and social engagement among the elderly as well as among those suffering from addiction and addictive behaviour. Dr. Urwyler explained that the project targets retirement homes, community centers, and care facilities across different countries, with a focus on non-competitive, social chess. Examples from Turkey, Switzerland, Spain, and Sweden illustrated how cultural considerations are integrated into each program. “Healthy Chess” in Menorca and Stockholm’s intergenerational “Let’s Play Chess for Everyone” program were particular highlights. The project also seeks to explore the therapeutic potential of chess in combating addiction, particularly in the context of substance abuse recovery. – Chess and Cancer (Project 2C): In one of the most moving sessions of the conference, Susana Gonçalves, co-founder of Chess2All, spoke about Project 2C, which brings chess to cancer patients. Launched in Portugal, this initiative aims to provide emotional support and cognitive stimulation to those undergoing cancer treatment. Gonçalves shared how chess trainers are specially trained to work with patients, ensuring the approach is both ethical and compassionate. The project plans to launch the Queen’s RISE initiative in March 2024, focused on supporting women with breast cancer through chess as part of their therapy. A unified mission for 2025 and beyond The final message of the conference was one of unity and action. As FIDE prepares for 2025, the Year of Social Chess, the call for global participation was clear: chess is not just a game but a powerful tool for social change. By connecting communities, empowering the vulnerable, and offering second chances, FIDE’s Social Commission is actively shaping a brighter future. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Hungarian Chess Federation
45th Chess Olympiad: India dominates open; women’s event goes down to the wire
India is unstoppable! The crucial match of the Chess Olympiad, India vs. USA, ended in a 2.5-1.5 victory for India, marking their ninth win. The first ceremonial move in this important encounter was made by Hungarian legends Susan and Sofia Polgar. Wesley So opened the scoring for the USA by defeating Praggnanandhaa R, but this was merely a consolation for team USA. By the time this game ended, two prodigies of the Indian team, Gukesh D and Arjun Erigaisi, were already winning their games against Fabiano Caruana and Lenier Dominguez, respectively. Vidit Gujrathi secured a draw with Black against Levon Aronian. Gukesh was the first to finish the job, triumphing over Fabiano Caruana. Speaking about the game on the FIDE broadcast, Gukesh said: “It was crazy. He surprised me in the opening with his move order, and we reached an initially equal position. His problems started from Ne7.” Reflecting on the later stages of the game, he added: “Arjun was completely winning, so I thought even a draw would be fine, but I kept finding all the good moves.” Commenting on his own incredible performance at this Olympiad, he said: “I am glad, but the main thing was to perform as a team!” China defeated Uzbekistan in a close and tough match. Ding Liren was much better but could not convert his chances against Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Shamsiddin Vokhidov prevailed over Wang Yue, but China struck back with wins by Yu Yangyi against Javokhir Sindarov and Wei Yi against Nodirbek Yakubboev. China is now trailing India by two points. If India loses in the final round and China wins, the two teams will share first place. The tiebreaks will then decide the outcome, and although India has a much better tiebreak at the moment, there is still a slim chance China can prevail. Slovenia is a surprise of the tournament as they beat the Netherlands, thanks to Matej Sebenik defeating Benjamin Bok. Now, the team of Vladimir Fedoseev, seeded 27th, is in sole third place with 16 points and is facing India in the last round – an incredible achievement. The first move in the match between Hungary and Serbia was made by legendary Hungarian grandmaster Lajos Portisch. He played 1.e4 for Richard Rapport, and the leader of the Hungarian team didn’t take it back, as often happens, but started the game with this move. Unfortunately for the local fans, this inspiration didn’t convert into a match victory. A 2-2 draw means Hungary is in a big group of teams on 15 points sharing fourth place. Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., made the first ceremonial move in the top women’s match in the presence of Mr. Abzal Saparbekuly, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Hungary. Kazakhstan, the sole leader in the women’s section, faced the mighty team of Georgia. With three games drawn, Alua Nurman saved the day for Kazakhstan. She held a draw, saving a losing position against Bella Khotenashvili on the fourth board, and secured a 2-2 tie in the match. Meanwhile, India beat China 2.5-1.5 thanks to Divya Deshmukh’s defeating Ni Shiqun. All other games ended in draws. Divya is having an amazing event. With 8.5 out of 10, she’s the main contender for individual gold on board three. After leading for most of the event, India stumbled with a loss to Poland and then a draw against the USA, but they are gaining momentum back. Before the final round, they are sharing first place with Kazakhstan. The fight for medals is very much open in the women’s section as the USA and Poland trail the leaders only by a single point. Position of the day: Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan, 2677) – Yu Yangyi (China, 2703) Put yourself in Sindarov’s shoes. Where do you go, Kh1 or Kh2? Sindarov opted 30.Kh1 and this was a grave mistake. After 30…Nh5 31.Nf3 Ng3+ 32.Kh2 Nf1+ 33.Kh1 Ne3, Black’s position became totally winning. Instead, 30.Kh2 could keep the balance as Black has to deal with Nxf7 threat. Results of the top matches: Open: (17) India 2.5-1.5 USA (15)(15) Uzbekistan 1.5-2.5 China (15)(14) Hungary 2-2 Serbia (14)(14) Ukraine 2-2 Armenia (14)(14) Slovenia 2.5-1.5 Netherlands (13) Women: (14) Georgia 2-2 Kazakhstan (16)(15) India 2.5-1.5 China (14)(14) Poland 2.5-1.5 Germany (14)(14) USA 2.5-1.5 Ukraine (14)(14) Spain 2-2 Armenia (14)(14) Vietnam 1.5-2.5 Hungary (13) Top standings after 10 rounds: Open: 1. India – 192. China – 173. Slovenia – 16 Women: 1-2. India, Kazakhstan – 172-4. USA, Poland – 16 Full results: Chess-results.com – 45th Chess Olympiad Written by WGM Anna Burtasova Photos: Michal Walusza, Mark Livshitz, Maria Emelianova and Gergő Kapás See more Round 10 photos on FIDE Flickr Official website: chessolympiad2024.fide.com