The All India Chess Federation (AICF) announced a total reward of ₹3.2 crore for the Indian teams that won gold at the historic 45th Chess Olympiad. Each player from both the men’s and women’s teams will be awarded ₹25 lakh, while the captains of the teams, Abhijeet Kunte and Srinath Narayanan, will receive ₹15 lakh each.
Special Awards for the Delegation
Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, who led the Indian delegation, will receive ₹10 lakh, and the assistant coaches will get ₹7.5 lakh each. The announcement was made by AICF president Nitin Narang during a felicitation event held on Wednesday.
Celebration of India’s Chess Victory
India secured gold in both the open and women’s sections at the Chess Olympiad 2024. Grandmasters like D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, and woman GM R Vaishali were present at the ceremony. AICF president Narang remarked, “Our players dominated the open section and excelled in the women’s section. The seeds sown by Vishwanathan Anand have now grown into a forest.“
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Boost to Chess in India
AICF secretary general Dev A Patel highlighted the significance of this achievement, saying, “Winning twin gold medals in 97 years of Chess Olympiad history is a remarkable feat. This will ignite a chess revolution in the country and inspire future generations.“
Historic Wins for Both Teams
India’s men’s team, featuring D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa, triumphed at the Olympiad by defeating Slovenia in the final round. Gukesh was the standout player, winning 10 out of 11 rounds and securing India’s top spot with 21 points out of 22.
The women’s team, led by D Harika, Tania Sachdev, and R Vaishali, claimed their gold by beating Azerbaijan in a tense final match. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally congratulated the teams, praising their dedication and contribution to Indian sports.
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