AICF – Chess Olympiad Gold Medal Teams : In a historic move, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) has announced a whopping ₹3.2 crore cash reward for India’s Chess Olympiad champions, following their double gold medal triumph at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. This monumental victory, a first for India in both the open and women’s sections of the Olympiad, marks a new chapter in Indian chess.
Let’s have a look into more details: AICF – Chess Olympiad Gold Medal Teams
India made waves on the global chess scene by clinching gold in both the men’s and women’s categories for the first time in the 97-year history of the Chess Olympiad. The Indian open team, led by emerging stars like D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, Pentala Harikrishna, and Arjun Erigaisi, dominated the tournament, while the women’s team, composed of D Harika, Tania Sachdev, R Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, and Vantika Agarwal, overcame fierce competition to secure their gold.
Prize Breakdown
In a grand felicitation ceremony held in Delhi, the AICF President Nitin Narang and Secretary General Dev A Patel revealed the breakdown of the ₹3.2 crore reward:
- Each player from both the men’s and women’s teams will receive ₹25 lakh.
- Coaches, Abhijeet Kunte (men’s team) and Srinath Narayanan (women’s team), will be awarded ₹15 lakh each for their strategic brilliance.
- Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, head of the Indian delegation, will receive ₹10 lakh in recognition of his leadership.
- Assistant coaches will each receive ₹7.5 lakh for their pivotal role in preparing the teams.
A Bright Future for Indian Chess
The AICF’s generous reward signifies more than just a celebration of past achievements; it’s a bold step toward fostering a chess revolution in India. As AICF President Nitin Narang remarked, “The hunger for gold ended in Hungary, but the desire for success continues.” This victory, combined with the support from AICF, is expected to spark new interest and investment in chess, paving the way for future generations to shine on the global stage.
AICF Secretary General Dev A Patel echoed this sentiment: “This historic achievement will inspire the next generation of chess players in India, and we are committed to using this momentum to encourage the growth of the sport.”
Celebrating Chess Olympiad Heroes
The 45th Chess Olympiad saw the Indian teams deliver standout performances. The men’s team, spearheaded by Gukesh, who won 10 out of 11 games, secured 21 points out of a possible 22, making India the undisputed champions. The women’s team, after a setback against Poland, rallied in the final rounds, defeating Slovenia and Azerbaijan to clinch the gold.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to social media to congratulate the teams, praising their dedication and excellence, which has brought glory to Indian sports.
Vishwanathan Anand’s Chess Legacy Grows
The success of the Indian teams is often attributed to the seeds planted by Grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand, India’s chess pioneer. AICF’s leadership highlighted how the former world champion’s influence has helped cultivate a generation of chess prodigies. Anand’s legacy continues to inspire young players, and the current triumph in Budapest has brought his long term vision to fruition.
India’s double gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad is a testament to the country’s growing stature in the global chess community. The AICF’s ₹3.2 crore reward recognizes the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches who made this victory possible. More importantly, it signals a promising future for Indian chess, one that is poised to produce more champions and ignite widespread enthusiasm for the game.
As India celebrates this remarkable achievement, the future of Indian chess shines brighter than ever. With the foundation laid by legends like Anand and the new generation’s dominance, Indian chess is set to embark on a golden era.
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