Chess Olympiad | India’s men and women are making some right moves in Budapest

India leads Chess Olympiad with both men and women teams in top position, showcasing exceptional performances by key players.

It is not often that a truly global competition featuring 180 nations begins with India as the top seed. At the halfway stage in the Chess Olympiad at Budapest, the Indian women have justified their top billing: they are in the sole lead position.

The Indian men have done slightly better than their seeding so far. Seeded second in the open section, they are also in the sole lead.

Another five rounds remain, but India is well placed to score a double – and even to improve upon the bronze medal it won in both sections of the Chennai edition two years ago.

At Budapest, India is the only team, in either section, to have won every match. The men and the women have been brilliant so far.

While everyone has contributed, two have been outstanding.

Arjun Erigaisi, the World No. 4, has won all his six games and that is not easy to do in a top-quality event like the Olympiad.

The decision to play him on the third board despite him being the highest-rated player in the team has proved right. On the top two boards, D. Gukesh and R. Praggnanandhaa have done well, too. So has Vidit Gujrathi on the fourth board.