Veteran Indian chess player Harika Dronavalli has finally realized her dream of winning the Chess Olympiad title, although she expressed some dissatisfaction with her personal performance during the tournament in Budapest.
On September 22, India made history by claiming gold medals in both the men's and women's events for the first time. The women’s team triumphed over Slovenia, while the men’s team defeated Azerbaijan in a thrilling final round.
At 33, Harika took the top board for the women's team, showcasing her considerable technical prowess. Alongside her, 18-year-old Divya Deshmukh also shined, playing a crucial role in the team's success. Divya faced off against Govhar Beydullayeva, securing an individual gold medal on the third board with an impressive score of 9.5 points out of 11 games. Reflecting on the victory, Harika said, "For me, this is much more emotional than for my teammates. I've been playing for 20 years to see this gold medal, and I'm finally glad we've achieved it."
Divya, who recently won the World Junior Girls Chess Championship in Gandhinagar, contributed significantly to the Indian women's team’s historic gold medal victory. She noted the ups and downs of their journey, stating, "It started off well, but we faced a few setbacks in the middle. I’m really proud of how my team and I handled it. We fought back with resilience and are finally here with the gold medal."
When asked about the mental and emotional fortitude required to maintain high energy throughout the tournament, Divya emphasized the significance of the competition: "It was a do-or-die situation; for your country, you have to give it your all."
The achievements of both Harika and Divya highlight not only their individual talents but also the growing strength of Indian chess on the international stage. With this historic win, the future looks bright for Indian chess, as these players inspire a new generation to pursue excellence in the sport.
