The 45th Chess Olympiad, held in Budapest, Hungary, from September 10 to September 23, 2024, will bring together a record-breaking 196 nations to compete in the most prestigious team event in the chess world. With a mix of seasoned grandmasters and rising stars, this Olympiad proves to be one of the most chess star contested in recent history.
Welcome to Budapest - Hungary and 45th Chess Olympiad
The Hungarian capital, with its rich history of chess culture and grand venues, provided the perfect backdrop for this global event. The Olympiad will see 196 countries participating, making it the largest turnout in the event's history. The format followed the traditional Swiss system with 11 rounds, where each team fields four players with a reserve. The matches will be intense, with every point contested as nations will battle for the title of Chess Olympiad Champion.
https://chessolympiad2024.fide.com/
USA, India or China?
Opening Master constantly monitors the world standings and with our unique and world's biggest chess database we can take a wild guess of how the teams will perform. Check out our prognosis. And final standings?
1. India – Gold Medal
India emerged as the victor of the 45th Chess Olympiad, claiming their first gold medal again (in 2020 they won together with Russia). The Indian team, which features the current challenger Gukesh D and top tenners Arjun Erigaisi and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, is stronger than ever and undoubtedly will be one of the main contenders for gold. The Indians will show both strategic depth and brilliant tactics. They will maintain an undefeated streak throughout the tournament, securing 9 wins and 2 draws, which culminates in a narrow but decisive victory over the previous champions, the United States, in the final round.
Photo source: https://www.fide.com/news/3124
2. United States – Silver Medal
The United States finished in second place, continuing their strong run in recent Olympiads. Despite missing the top spot, the American team displayed exceptional skill and power. Their lineup, featuring the reigning world top players Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, Leinier Domínguez, put up a strong fight, scoring 8 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss. Their only defeat came against the Indian squad in the last round, where a tactical blunder in a crucial game cost them the gold.
Photo: chess.com
3. China – Bronze Medal
China secured the third position, taking home the bronze medal after a close battle with the surprise of the tournament, Uzbekistan. The Chinese team, led by Liren Ding had an impressive run, but a draw against France in Round 9 and a loss to the United States in Round 10 threw their gold medal hopes. Nevertheless, their final round victory over Azerbaijan secured them a place on the podium.
Check out our story about King Ding.
Other Notable Performances
Uzbekistan continued to impress the chess world with their youthful energy, narrowly missing out on a podium finish. Their team, featuring the promising talents of Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov, finished fourth, proving that their gold medal in the 2022 Olympiad was no mistake.
Hungary, the host nation, had a commendable performance, finishing in 6th place. They showcased their rising stars, such as Richard Rapport and Viktor Erdos, who fought valiantly in front of a passionate home crowd.
Norway struggled with their superstar Magnus Carlsen, who is still undisputed GOAT however focuses now more on playing poker than chess. They finished in 8th place, with Aryan Tari winning 9 boards.
Photo source: fide.com
Individual Performances
• Best Board 1 Performance: Fabiano Caruana (USA) - Caruana had an extraordinary run, scoring 8.5/11 on Board 1 with a performance rating of 2870.
• Best Board 2 Performance: Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (India) - The young Indian prodigy impressed everyone with a 9/11 score, playing several crucial games for his team.
• Best Female Performance: Anna Muzychuk (Ukraine) - Scoring an impressive 9/11 on Board 1, she was the standout performer in the Women's section.
The 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest will be remembered as a thrilling chapter in the chess history. India’s resurgence to the top, the near-miss of the United States, and the rise of new stars from countries like Uzbekistan will make a tournament filled with drama, excitement, and unforgettable moments.
Opening Master will attend the beginning of the tournament and hopes to catch rising chess stars with short interviews and cameo.
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