Interaction with 45th Chess Olympiad Gold Medalist – Grandmaster R. Vaishali
The 45th Chess Olympiad Gold Medalist – R. Vaishali, recently spoke to the media team of the Sports Authority Of India. This is what she had to say. Reflections On Historic Chess Olympiad Gold? Yeah thank you very much. I’m very very happy to be part of such a historical golden winning team. It’s such a memorable tournament. Both the sections we won Gold. The Indian men’s team clearly dominated the field. They were tied with four points difference and the women’s team had set back in the tournament but I’m Very happy because we managed to recover from it and as a team we won the tournament. The last two rounds were really crucial for us to win to secure gold. I’m very happy the girls delivered when required. On Tasting Victory Alongside Brother Praggnanandhaa Yeah it’s very special for our family. In the previous Olympiad in Chennai, we won bronze. We were really close to winning gold, we missed out in the last few rounds and both myself and PR won one bronze medal. We were on the same Podium. Now I’m very happy we both stood on the same podium in gold medal. It’s truly a special moment for our family. On Her Mother’s Relentless Support And Dedication Yeah she (Mother) has been our incredible support for us throughout our journey. She has always been accompanying us to most of the tournaments and it’s not easy for her especially when we have tournaments. Sometimes we have different tournaments. We play different events, both myself and Praggnanandhaa so sometimes she travels with me and the next day immediately she has to travel with Prag (Praggnanandhaa). These traveling are like quite tiring but she never says anything about it . She sacrifices so much so that we can just focus on our game. She makes sure that everything is fine and also thanks to our father. He’s the one managing all the logistics and we are grateful to our parents. On Learning The Best Life Lessons From Her Mother All of us work hard and it’s not every day you get the result. I mean sometimes you don’t see the result right away but she (mother) has always pushed us you know to work hard and someday you will see the result yeah. Not to worry so much about it. Our parents mainly see our efforts what we are putting in and they believe that we get the results. I mean the results will come if you work hard, that’s what they have always taught us since the beginning. On Being The World Grandmaster In 2023 And Future Goals Yeah it’s a long journey. I’ve been playing chess for the last 15 years. I completed the grandmas title last year. It’s one of my most dreamed moment for me. I’ve been dreaming of uh becoming Grandmaster Since I started playing chess and definitely one of the highlights of the last year. Now I’m currently Indian number three and I would like to improve my rating and ranking further and of course to improve my game to become stronger. That’s my goal, not just to focus on the game, to work hard and the results will come and in the next few days I’ll be traveling to London for the Global Chess League. So I’m looking forward to it. It’s the Global Chess League where players from all over the world come together. It’s like you can call it the IPL. It has contestants from all over the world from different countries like there are Indian players in my team. It’s like six franchise, where they form a team and yeah I’m very happy I’m Ann and S is also playing we both are in the same team so it would be nice to be playing alongside him. Media Team – Sports Authority Of India
Checkmate! India Strikes Gold Twice at Chess Olympiad 2024
India won its maiden Chess Olympiad gold medals in both the open and women’s sections at the SYMA Sports and Conference Centre in Budapest, Hungary, in a landmark day for Indian chess. The dominance of the Indian contingent was again registered as it won 10 out of 11 rounds in the open section and 9 out of 11 rounds in the women’s competition. Gukesh Wins with Outstanding Success The charge was led by World Championship challenger D. Gukesh, who took individual gold on top board after 9/10. His rating performance of 3056 alone stood above all those played in the tournament, crossing the 3000+ mark-a patently obvious signal for great things in the chess world. Erigaisi and Deshmukh Claim Individual Golds Arjun Erigaisi was not far behind, winning individual gold on board three with 10 points in 11 games. Both grandmasters have moved closer to the elite 2800 FIDE rating threshold. In the women’s section, Divya Deshmukh from Jamnagar turned out as the biggest shock package at 18 as she produced an individual gold on board three, scoring 9.5 points and getting the winning end in the final round. India’s great output was completed by Vantika Agrawal who is an individual gold medalist on board four. India Defends the Gaprindashvili Trophy Besides the twin golds, India retained the prestigious Gaprindashvili Trophy for the best all-round performance in both sections. This consolidation places India among the powerhouse countries in chess at the global level. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Global Chess League unveils stellar lineup that promises an unprecedented showdown in London this October
India/London, 24th July 2024: The Global Chess League, a joint venture between Tech Mahindra and FIDE, today announced the list of Icon players for the second season to be held in London from 3rd to 12th October at Friends House. Sameer Pathak, CEO, Global Chess League, said, “We would like to extend a warm welcome to all the Icon players. With such renowned names at the helm of each team, we are confident that the exciting matches will offer millions of chess fans an incredible experience. In the following weeks, we will be announcing a host of superstar men, women, and prodigy players, which will only add to the excitement ahead of the player draft.” The stellar line-up of Icon players includes world No.1 and five-time world champion, Magnus Carlsen, who also featured in the first season of the Global Chess League. In the second season, he will continue to play for Alpine SG Pipers. Magnus Carlsen, the five-time world champion, said, “The first season in Dubai was a fantastic experience. Chess has been an individual sport, but the concept of a team setting introduced by the Global Chess League is very exciting and refreshing. I look forward to playing again with the Alpine SG Pipers.” To add to the thrilling level of competition, two new Icon players are joining the league for the first time. One of the world’s most popular and dynamic players, Hikaru Nakamura, will play for the new team American Gambits. Anish Giri will make his debut in the second season with PBG Alaskan Knights as the Icon player. Joining as an Icon player for American Gambits, Hikaru Nakamura, said, “I followed the Global Chess League in its first season and was hooked to the format. It is an exciting opportunity not only for the top players, but also for fans as they get to pick a team with their favorite players to cheer on. I am excited to be a part of American Gambits team, and I look forward to meeting my teammates in London.” Grandmaster Anish Giri, who has been signed up as the Icon player by PBG Alaskan Knights, said, “The unique format of the Global Chess League takes the competition to a higher level. I am sure that the fans will tune in to see the exciting battles between teams comprising top men and women chess players. I am delighted to play in my debut season with PBG Alaskan Knights, and I am looking forward to the exciting times ahead.” Returning in the Icon player role for Ganges Grandmasters is the five-time world champion, Viswanathan Anand. As the Icon player of the first season’s finalists, Mumba Masters, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave will continue to lead from the front for the team. In the second season, Ian Nepomniachtchi will be the Icon player for the Triveni Continental Kings. Viswanathan Anand, the five-time world champion and the Icon player for Ganges Grandmasters, said, “The inaugural season was a huge success with some very exciting matches. Chess is widely played across the world, and the game being televised in this unique format will only add to its popularity. I believe that fans who tune in will get to see intense battles between teams playing chess at their highest level. I am excited to be back playing for Ganges Grandmasters.” Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi, in his new role as the Icon player for Triveni Continental Kings, said, “After an exciting launch season, I am glad to be a part of the second season of the Global Chess League. Playing for the winners of the first season, Triveni Continental Kings, makes it even more special, and I am looking forward to play some exciting matches in London.” Former World Blitz champion and the Icon player for Mumba Masters, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, said, “Playing for my team Mumba Masters was a fantastic experience in the first season. The whole team came together beautifully and reached the finals. I am geared to return for the next season and collaborate with my team members.” The league will feature a minimum of three marquee showdowns every day between the Icon players as they lead their teams into the chess arena. The first-of-its-kind franchise-based league will feature a total of six teams. Each team will consist of six players, including one Icon player, two superstar male players, two superstar female players, and one prodigy player.
