45th Chess Olympiad Day 1: Photos that tell the tale
The 45th Chess Olympiad started with a bang in Budapest. There is so much excitement among the players to compete against the best teams in the world. A total of 380 teams and 1736 players are taking part from 194 (Open) and 180 (Women) countries across the world. It would be interesting to see how each team gives their best to fight against the best. The venue would be full of thousands of people meaning there would be thousands of interesting moments to capture. That’s why, we will bring you a closer look at some of the most captivating moments from the venue. Read the article to see some of those from Day 1.
The 45th Chess Olympiad has kicked off in Budapest with 380 teams and 1736 players from around the globe. The event was filled with memorable highlights and fun moments right from Day 1. Take a look at some moments that carry the essence of the vibe at the Olympiad.
1) The ‘Dynamic Duo’ of the Turkish Men’s Team
These two rising stars of Turkey, 16-year-old Ediz Gurel (2602) and 13-year-old Yagiz Khan (2592) are talents to watch closely in this Olympiad. Gurel, the youngest Grandmaster in Turkey, achieved his title after an impressive run at the Prague Chess Festival earlier this year. Yagiz Khan, another rising star, has already established himself as one of the most promising young talents in the world.
Ediz Gurel's achievements:
1. Youngest Grandmaster of Turkey in March 2024
2. Highest-ranked and top player in Turkey
3. Winner of the Prague Chess Festival Challengers 2024
4. Second at the U-14 European Youth Championship 2022
Yagiz Khan's achievements:
1. Youngest player to surpass 2600 ELO rating
2. Youngest Grandmaster of Turkey in April 2024
3. U-8 European Champion in
4. Ranked first U-10 player in the world in 2021.
With such promising young talents, it wouldn't be surprising to see them contending for a medal at the Olympiad. They both had won their first game against their opponents.
2) International Chess Camaraderie
Jan Smeets, a two-time Dutch Champion, is leading the Dutch Men's team at the Olympiad, while Loek van Wely, an eight-time Dutch National Champion, is the captain of the Italian Men's team. We also see Vidit who is India’s number 5 and currently ranked 29th in the world, and Daniel Vocaturo, the top chess player in Italy. This image beautifully captures the cultural mix that defines the Olympiad, where players and coaches from different countries come together in support of one another. The two captains and two players seem quite relaxed and having a casual conversation which is refreshing for the fans to see. Imagine the excitement if they are paired against each other!
3) A heartwarming shared laughter
Another heartwarming moment features Wesley So and Peter Leko sharing a laugh. Peter Leko, renowned as a player, author, trainer, and commentator, has returned to compete for his home country. Fans are happy and sad at the same time. Happy, because their favorite player is playing, and sad, because their favorite commentator is not commentating! Wesley So, a three-time US Chess Champion and a participant in every Olympiad since 2006, brings a wealth of experience to the table. It would be exciting to see how Wesley So’s experience and Peter Leko’s comeback help their respective teams!
4) A young prodigy to watch out for!
She is Bodhana Sivanandan, a 9-year-old Fide Master from England. She is 2196 rated and is playing on the board 4. She started playing chess in the lockdown and you would be surprised to see what she has achieved in the span of 4 years! Her achievements include:
1. Silver medal in Rapid and Blitz European U-8 girls.
2. Gold medals in the European Schools age group Championships in 2022.
3. She defeated former British Chess Champion Peter Lee in 2023.
4. In March 2024, she was the World's No. 1 U-10 girl.
5. She is the youngest player to represent England in Chess Olympiad.
Her rapid rise in the chess world is a testament to her talent and dedication.
5) A 'Short' conversation with the debutants
Vanuatu made its debut at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Their team consists of students from Port Vila International School and French international school JMG LE CLÉZIO. Chess is becoming a serious sport in their country after the Vanuatu Chess Federation was formed in 2023. There are many tournaments conducted in the country at various schools and chess clubs. They have in fact organised chess tournaments in prison as well. The country is definitely making great efforts to promote and support chess!
The team must have gained some valuable knowledge from the three-time English Champion GM Nigel Short. After all, Olympiad is all about meeting players from different countries and sharing experiences with each other.
6) Three Musketeers of Indian Chess
Srinath Narayanan is the captain of the Indian Men’s Team at the Olympiad. He has been a pivotal figure in the success of Indian Chess at various occasions. Under his guidance, India has won many medals like:
1. Silver medal for the Junior team at the World Youth Chess 2018.
2. Gold medal at the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad 2020.
3. Silver medal at the Asian Games 2022.
It’s rare to see an Indian team participating in a tournament and not have Srinath as their coach. This year, Srinath was awarded the title of FIDE Senior Trainer. He is the youngest trainer in the country and the second youngest in the world. He was the former coach of Arjun Erigaisi and Divya Deshmukh who are on the team this year.
We always appreciate the calm and composed nature of Srinath and the way he is always there to motivate our players!
7) First move by FIDE President
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich made the first move in the Olympiad round 1 on Vaishali’s board. This was a thrilling moment for Indian Chess fans. The Indian Women’s Team is the top seed at the Olympiad. All the Indian fans have their eyes on the team at the forefront. They are hoping for a stellar performance from both teams.
Stay tuned!
The excitement continues to build with each passing round. With so many captivating stories ahead, we look forward to more thrill, action, and unforgettable moments in the coming days. Stay tuned for the highlights from Day 2!
