India Clinches Historic Gold at Chess Olympiad

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand led the celebration as India's men's and women's chess teams won their first-ever gold medals at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. The men's team defeated Slovenia and the women's team triumphed over Azerbaijan, marking a historic achievement for Indian chess.

In an unprecedented triumph for Indian chess, the nation's men's and women's teams clinched their first-ever gold medals at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. The men's team overpowered Slovenia, while the women's team secured a victory over Azerbaijan in the final round.

Celebrations erupted as five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand led the sporting fraternity in honoring the teams. 'Congrats to Team India for winning the last round as well! Sensational @DGukesh and @ArjunErigaisi, but also congrats to @viditchess on an impressive result. Great captaincy by @srinathchess,' Anand wrote on 'X', formerly Twitter.

The historic achievement was also lauded by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. 'India makes history in Chess! Huge congratulations to our Men's Chess team - @DGukesh, @ArjunErigaisi, @praggchess, @viditchess, and @HariChess for winning GOLD at the Chess Olympiad,' Mandaviya tweeted. Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura of the United States commended Anand for inspiring generations of Indian chess players.

(With inputs from agencies.)