India made history at the Chess Olympiad, securing double gold for both its men’s and women’s teams in a groundbreaking achievement. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, a chess icon, expressed immense pride over the country’s remarkable feat but emphasized that the journey for women’s chess in India is just beginning.
While the men’s game in India has seen a meteoric rise in recent years, with young prodigies like H. Praggnanandhaa and D. Gukesh making waves on the international stage, the women’s game has yet to reach the same level of prominence. Anand believes that this double triumph can serve as a catalyst to inspire more girls to take up chess, thus bridging the gap between the men’s and women’s sides of the game.
Speaking at the sidelines of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, Anand shared his thoughts on the historical win. “It’s a very good beginning. I think there’s still a long way to go because we must continuously keep progressing,” he said. “More importantly, we need to get more girls to play, and I believe this achievement will inspire many young women to take up chess.”
Anand, who has been an inspiration to the current crop of young Indian chess players, was thrilled to witness their victory. “It’s a moment of great pride for the country. It didn’t come as a surprise because we had been anticipating the win for a couple of hours. But to suddenly realize that India is the double Olympiad champion—it’s an indescribable feeling,” Anand said.
He also enjoyed the personal connection, as many of the players have been his colleagues and friends for years. “Hearing the national anthem twice, and knowing that the world had taken notice of India’s rise in chess, made it all the more special.”
As India continues to ascend in the global chess arena, Anand’s message is clear: this triumph should be a stepping stone, especially for the advancement of women’s chess, ensuring that more young girls are encouraged to take up the sport and compete on the world stage.
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