Traditionally, chess has always been dominated by the European countries, however this year in Budapest, India totally dominated and proved to the world that they will stay here for the long haul. It is just like how the Hikaru Nakamura (GM) predicted about young Indian players and it turned out to be just as expected after the results of this tournament.
“The Indians are coming for Magnus!”
Hikaru Nakamura on Magnus Carlsen
India’s Chess Boom: Thank You, Viswanathan Anand!
Now, if you haven’t heard of Vishy Anand (GM) yet, it’s time to introduce this chess legend who encouraged India’s chess revolution. People thought he wasn’t doing enough to promote chess in India. But who could have known, he completely turned the tables! Not only is he a World Chess Champion, but he also inspired young talents like Gukesh Dommarajuand Arjun Erigaisi—two names every potential chess player should know after this tournament!
Arjun Erigaisi & Gukesh Dommaraju
Arjun Erigaisi for example, scored 10 out of 11 points. To put that in context, it’s like scoring 10 goals in a soccer tournament—awesome, right? He’s one of the top three chess players in the world now, but he started just like your kids, learning and making mistakes along the way. Now he’s on the verge of breaking into the 2800 rating club, which is a big deal in chess.
Another emerging talent, Gukesh Dommaraju, returned to this Olympiad with a mission. After a rough time in the last tournament, the 2022 Olympiad, where a loss cost India a gold, he came back to show the world who the real boss is, as he won individual gold on Board One with a brilliant performance. His story is a perfect reminder for kids: failure isn’t the end of the world as you always learn from your mistakes and just like that, Gukesh turned his loss into a win.
U.S. and Uzbekistan: Still Going Strong
The U.S. and Uzbekistan had highs and lows but managed to seal silver and bronze. Levon Aronian was the shining star for the U.S., while Uzbekistan had some amazing moments thanks to Shamsiddin Vokhidov, who helped secure gold on Board Four. Even if these teams didn’t lead, they still showed resilience.
What Happened to Europe?
While India was dominating, European teams weren’t having their best time. For the first time in history, no European team made it to the podium. Countries like France and Russia, mostly strong chess nations, got overshadowed by teams from Asia like India, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. It is a sign of how the chess world is evolving and a reminder that with passion and dedication, anyone from any part of the world can achieve greatness, regardless of their background.
Rising Stars from All Over: Young Turks
This Olympiad wasn’t just about India or the U.S.; it also showcased fresh talent from surprising places. Look at Turkey, for example! Two young players, 13-year-old Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and 15-year-old, stood out at the top. Erdogmus even became the first ever 13-year-old to hit a rating of over 2600! Their feats show that kids can do remarkable things when they have the passion and dedication to back it up.
A New Chess Era
The 2024 Olympiad has shown us one thing for sure, that is, the future of chess is no longer just in Europe’s hands. Countries like India are leading the charge, and it’s not just about winning—it’s about inspiring the next generation.
Why not use this momentum to motivate your own kids to play chess? With these emerging role models, there’s no lack of inspiration. Who knows? Your kid could be the next big thing in the chess world!
“It’s not just about winning; it’s about inspiring.”
Viswanathan Anand