How India Dominated The 45th Chess Olympiad

How did the Indian team demolish the competition like no one has done before?

• Team Dominance
• Arjun Erigaisi
• Gukesh Dommaraju
• What's Next?

---

Team Dominance

Entering the Olympiad, India's Open team had an impressive average rating of 2753, but that only placed them second, behind Team USA's 2757. This didn't slow down the Indian team, as they won ten matches and tied one, scoring a record 21 out of 22 possible match points. This was the best result since the Olympiad started its current scoring format in 2008, breaking the record of 20 match points by Team USA in 2016.
India also won the Women's section, with 19 match points, edging Kazhakstan's 18 points. India is only the second country since the breakup of the Soviet Union to win both sections in the same Olympiad. China accomplished the feat in 2018. It's worth noting that the Open Section teams for both China and the USA include many of the same players who won gold in the past, and India defeated both of those teams on their way to victory this year!
https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/images_users/tiny_mce/CoachJKane/phpt7ydGC.jpg
The Indian teams receiving the Gaprindashvili Cup for the best combined score between the women's section and open teams. Photo: Maria Emelianova/Chess.com.

Arjun Erigaisi

How did the Indian team score so highly in the Open section? They primarily relied on amazing performances by GMs Arjun Erigaisi and GM Gukesh Dommaraju. Erigaisi, currently the third highest-rated player in the world, was a significant favorite in every game on board three. He played every round and scored a spectacular nine wins and two draws for a performance rating of 2968 and the gold medal for his board.
Erigaisi's performance was graded by Chess.com's Game Review, with a precision score (CAPS) of 95.65 throughout the tournament. That level of play puts Arjun in good company. For comparison, that's a better performance than GM Fabiano Caruana's famous 2014 Sinquefield Cup (94.47), Bobby Fischer's 11-0 US Championship (94.61), and some of Magnus Carlsen's best events like Nanjing 2009 (95.07), and Grenke 2019 (95.25).
Check out GM Rafael Leitao's analysis of Arjun's final-round victory. He played a sharp and surprising opening, leading to a swift win against a strong grandmaster.
Subelj, Jan (2498) vs. Erigaisi Arjun (2778)
0-1 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024 Chess.com 22 Sep 2024 Round: 11 ECO: B01
87654321abcdefgh
1.
e4
d5
2.
exd5
xd5
3.
c3
d6
The Scandinavian Defense is not often seen in games between two top players, although Carlsen famously beat Caruana with it. Arjun is used to taking risks to unbalance games against lower-rated players when the pressure to win with Black is greater. The variation itself is not that bad; suffice it to say that it has been played several times by Carlsen at different time controls. This line with 3...Qd6 is a specialty of GM Tiviakov, and it's not the first time that Arjun has played it.
4.
d4
f6
5.
f3
g6
This is Black's fourth most popular choice.
5...
a6
Prevents Nb5 but loses another tempo. 6.
g3
b5
7.
g2
b7
8.
O-O
e6
Sjugirov-Carlsen, Titled Tuesday Chess.com Iblitz 2023. Here White can achieve an advantage with 9.
e5!
5...
c6
6.
e5
Prepares Bf4 and poses problems for Black.
5...
g4
is dangerous: 6.
h3
h5
( 6...
xf3
7.
xf3
c6
8.
f4
xd4
9.
b5!
The complications favor White. ) 7.
g4
g6
8.
e5
with the initiative.
6.
b5
...
6.
g3
is less accurate.
g7
7.
g2
a6!
Preventing White from castling, with an excellent position for Black, at least compared with what usually happens in this opening: Petrosyan-Erigaisi, Jermuk Avagyan Memorial 2024.
6....
b6
7.
a4
...
Threatening a4-a5.
7....
a6
7...
c6
is also possible, but White has the advantage after 8.
a5
d8
9.
c3
The queen traveled to many places until returning to the starting square.
8.
a3
...
8.
a5??
loses a piece to
e6+
8....
e6
8...
g7
has been played in a few games: 9.
c4
a7
10.
e2
with a comfortable advantage for White, who has better development while Black continues with a problematic queen.
9.
c4
...
This is a good and new move.
9.
c4
is also possible but loses a small part of the advantage.
c6
10.
e2
xc4
11.
xc4
e4
White is just slightly better: Uskov-Rakhmanov, Aktobe Dvorkovich op 2024.
9....
xc4
10.
xc4
g7
This move is criticized by the computer, but the alternative the machine offers is depressing, leading to a painful ending for Black, everything Arjun didn't want when choosing this opening line.
10...
b4+
11.
d2
h6
12.
d3
xd2+
13.
xd2!
( 13.
xd2
sacrifices a pawn for no reason.
xd4
)
xd2+
14.
xd2
with a pair of bishops against a pair of knights endgame. White's advantage is probably smaller here than in the game, but in a human duel, it's better to keep life in the position, even if it's bad.
11.
O-O
O-O
The computer already gives White a more or less a 1.5 advantage here, which is surprising to me, as I didn't think it was that bad for Black.
12.
c3
...
White won't play the next few moves accurately. I think he lacked a bit of energy and subtlety to avoid Black's counterplay.
12.
a5
d6
13.
g3
This is one of the possible options. White gives the king a breather, prepares Bf4, and makes c7-c5 less attractive. Despite all this optimism from the computer, there's nothing straightforward, and it's necessary to play patiently.
12....
c5
An important move to give Black counterplay by opening the diagonal of the g7-bishop.
13.
a5
c7
14.
dxc5
xc5
15.
d4
...
After exchanging queens, Black no longer has any major problems.
15.
b3
is better.
15....
c8
16.
e5
...
It is better to move the bishop to b3 or e2. After the move is played, White most likely will end up with an isolated queen's pawn.
16.
b3
16.
e2
16....
e6
17.
a4
...
17.
xc5
This is another option. The position is close to equal but probably easier to play with Black after
xc5
18.
d1
c6
19.
xc6
xc4
20.
e5
c7
17....
xd4
18.
cxd4
c6
19.
xc6
xc6
The position is now more comfortable for Black. White has some suffering ahead. The game has remained close to a draw for a long time.
20.
g5
d8
21.
d1
d7
22.
f1
...
It's usually a good strategy to bring the king to the center in an endgame.
22....
d5
23.
e2
h6
24.
e3
e7
The knight was fine on d5, but Arjun gets ready to attack the d4-pawn quickly, a more direct play that is his characteristic. I'd have played
24...
cd6
25.
d3
cd6
26.
d2
...
Subelj decides to surrender the d4-pawn, an interesting strategy. Black, however, is in no hurry to capture it.
26....
f5
Just keeping the pressure.
26...
c6
27.
e4!
xd4+
28.
xd4
xd4
29.
b3
with the idea of Rb4 and excellent drawing chances.
26...
xd4
is also premature. 27.
e4!
( 27.
xh6
xf2!
)
xe3
28.
xd6
xd6
29.
xe3
and White lost the isolated pawn on d4, the very reason for his suffering. With a strong bishop and an active rook, the computer claims it's possible to make a draw.
27.
c4
g5
Threatening f5-f4.
28.
f4
...
28.
g3!
is more accurate, not allowing the pawns to advance. These pawn structure details are very difficult to evaluate during the game.
28....
g4
29.
b4
...
Subelj decides to activate. The computer likes 29.h4, which is too deep a move to understand, let alone explain.
29....
d5
30.
xd5
...
White is forced to capture the knight, but there's counterplay in sight.
30....
xd5
31.
b6
...
31.
a4
is too passive:
b5
with good winning chances.
31....
f7
32.
d3
...
Preparing to double rooks on the b-file.
32....
e7
32...
xa5
33.
db3
followed by the capture on b7 and a probable draw.
33.
db3
...
33.
g3
is also possible:
xa5
34.
db3
d5
35.
xb7
xd4
36.
xe7+
xe7
37.
b7+
f6
38.
xd4+
xd4
39.
b4
With accurate play, this rook endgame should be drawn.
33....
xd4
34.
xd4
...
34.
xb7!
is simpler:
xe3
35.
xe3
xa5
36.
h3
Perhaps humans see an extra pawn for Black here, but the computer also sees activity for White's rooks and a not-so-difficult draw.
34....
xd4
35.
xb7
...
35.
6b4
is also interesting, protecting the f-pawn. This is another rookie endgame that should be drawn.
35....
e4+
36.
d3
xf4
From now on, the game becomes pure calculation. I've always found it curious that some chess players don't like studying endgames, considering them boring. Working on endgames is one of the best ways to improve your calculation since with the limited material, you often can't talk about complex maneuvers but only about mathematics: which pawn will promote first, is it possible to build a fortress, that kind of thing. Studying endgames also brings benefits to the middlegame.
37.
xe7+
xe7
38.
b7+
...
Only now White's position becomes losing. This move is part of a flawed plan: White wants to quickly advance his b-pawn when the right thing to do would be to capture the a6-pawn.
38.
b6!
This is enough for a draw, but to tell the truth, the variations are complicated. Usually, equal positions are lost like this: small inaccuracies are made until a moment is reached when only one move leads to a draw.
f2
39.
xa6
xb2
( 39...
xg2
This move leads to a curious position: 40.
a8
xb2
41.
a6
xh2
42.
a7
a2
43.
h8
xa7
44.
h7+
f6
45.
xa7
e5
This is not an endgame that is normally studied, so it's good to know that the position is drawn. Four pawns are enough to avoid defeat against a rook. ) 40.
a8
f6
41.
a6
e5
The king hides in front of the pawns, and I'd say that Black has a very good chance of winning. But what I say doesn't make much difference when the computer shows a mathematical draw in every line. 42.
a7
a2
( 42...
b7
This doesn't change the evaluation after 43.
g3
) 43.
g3
h5
44.
e3
h4
45.
gxh4
a3+
46.
f2
The analysis can go on, but I'll show only one explanatory variation:
f4
47.
h5!
The only move.
a2+
48.
g1!
Forced.
e4
49.
e8
xa7
50.
xe6+
f3
51.
e1!
Forced again. Now the draw is visible.
38....
f6
39.
b4
f2
40.
b6
xg2
41.
xa6
xh2
42.
a8
a2
Black pawns are faster, and there are more of them.
43.
b5
g3
44.
a6
h5
Waiting for White to leave a pawn unprotected before advancing the g-pawn.
44...
g2?
is too early: 45.
g8
45.
e3
h4
46.
g8
...
46.
b6
g2
47.
g8
xa6
with an easy win.
46....
h3
47.
xg3
h2
Subelj graciously allows checkmate on the board.
48.
h3
a3+
49.
f4
e5#
Congratulations to both Indian teams for a masterful performance at the Olympiad. There's no doubt about which is the chess nation today.
0-1

Gukesh Dommaraju

As amazing as Erigaisi's tournament was, Gukesh's performance rating was even higher. He had a similarly successful event (eight wins and two draws), but did it on board one, defeating the best players from nearly every country he faced. Gukesh had a spectacular performance rating of 3056, adding 30.1 points to his already impressive rating, moving up to fifth in the world, only three points behind Arjun.
https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/images_users/tiny_mce/CoachJKane/phpawiusM.jpg
The Indians are shooting up the rating lists. Notice Vishy Anand, still holding a spot in the top ten! Image: 2700chess.
Gukesh paired that astonishing performance rating with a nearly identical CAPS score to Arjun, 95.35. It's no surprise with that type of play that Gukesh took home the individual gold medal on board one for the second conductive olympiad!
Check out GM Leitao's analysis of this instant-classic endgame grind by Gukesh against GM Wei Yi.
Gukesh D (2764) vs. Wei, Yi (2762)
1-0 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024 Budapest, Hungary 18 Sep 2024 Round: 7 ECO: B50
87654321abcdefgh
1.
e4
c5
2.
f3
d6
3.
c3
f6
4.
e2
...
Gukesh is not interested in a theoretical battle in the Najdorf Defense today.
4....
e5
Black prevents the opening of the center with d2-d4. This is a relatively rare move.
4...
g6
4...
c6
4...
e6
4...
a6
5.
c4
...
A modern way of playing, recently tried by some strong chess players, including Carlsen. White doesn't mind moving the bishop once more, since it goes to a better diagonal. It's amazing how Carlsen's name appears in almost every opening we analyze.
5....
e7
6.
d3
c6
7.
g5
O-O
7...
d7
makes a lot of sense, proposing to exchange the bishops and preserve the knight, thus ensuring greater control over the d5-square. 8.
xe7
xe7
9.
d5
d8
This was Carlsen vs. Vachier-Lagrave, Grenke 2024.
8.
xf6
xf6
9.
d5
e6
10.
d2
...
A new move.
10.
O-O
g6
11.
c3
g7
12.
a3
h8
13.
b4
This is usually White's plan.
f5
with a double-edged fight in Caruana-Carlsen, Moscow Tal Memorial Blitz 2013.
10....
a6
Preparing the b7-b5 advance, which is possible even if White plays a2-a4.
11.
O-O
...
11.
a4
b5!?
Here White should play ( 11...
g4
is also interesting. ) 12.
b3!
since taking on b5 is bad: ( 12.
axb5?
axb5
13.
xa8
xa8
14.
xf6+
gxf6
15.
xe6
a1+
16.
d1
xd1+
17.
xd1
fxe6
with a better endgame for Black. )
11....
b5
12.
b3
h8
13.
a3
...
Now a game of maneuvering begins.
13.
a4
is also possible, when Black can play
b4
and prepare the same plan as in the game.
13....
b8
14.
h3
g6
A typical plan: remove the bishop from f6 and push f7-f5, just like in the Sveshnikov Defense.
15.
c3
...
15.
xf6
is a duller option:
xf6
16.
xe6
xe6
with equality.
15....
g7
16.
a2
...
With a3 and c3, Gukesh hints that he wants the classical plan with b2-b4 and playing on the queenside.
16....
f5
Black is ready for a fight and has a comfortable position, although not yet better.
17.
g5
...
The beginning of a radical plan that turns out to be wrong.
17.
b4!?
is an interesting idea, leading to simplifications:
d7!
18.
xc6
xc6
19.
g5
h6
20.
f7+
xf7
21.
xh6
f6
with equality.
17.
b4
17...
f4
This move that defines the pawn structure is by no means forced, although it's tempting since Black has a clear plan with g5-h5 and so on. 18.
a4
g5
with chances for both sides. Probably in a game of regular players, it's easier to play with Black.
17...
fxe4?!
18.
g5!
with a positional advantage for White.
17...
a5
17...
g8
17....
g8
18.
exf5
...
Perhaps it would have been better to play in another way here, but this was Gukesh's intention with his previous move.
18....
gxf5
19.
f4
...
A critical position.
19....
c4
An interesting move in the style of the Chinese GM. There are several interesting options.
19...
exf4
20.
f3!
with only a slight advantage for Black.
h6
( 20...
e5
is also possible. In both cases, Black has a slight plus. )
20.
xf4
It's worse since Black can play
c4!
( 20...
e5
is less clear, due to 21.
g3
) 21.
dxc4
bxc4
22.
xc4
xb2
with the initiative.
19...
h6
is a solid and positional way of playing. The idea is 20.
f3
xd5!
21.
xd5
e7
22.
a2
e4
when the pawns in the center are very dangerous and Black has a clear advantage.
19...
a5
is a machine suggestion, keeping the tension in the game. The computer is quite happy with Black's position.
20.
dxc4
bxc4
20...
e4
The g5-knight is trapped, so there's some interest in this plan, here and later.
21.
cxb5
xb5
22.
a4
b7
23.
g4!?
The situation becomes unclear. White's idea is to sac the knight with
h6
24.
gxf5!
hxg5
25.
fxg5
when the pawns offer compensation.
22.
e3?
d5!
22.
b4?
xb4
23.
axb4
( 23.
xg8
d3!
24.
f7+
xf7
25.
xf7
b6+
26.
h2
xb2
with monster compensation for the exchange. )
d5
24.
h4
h6
25.
h3
a5!
( 25...
xh4
is also good. ) 26.
bxa5
xa5
White's pieces are completely uncoordinated.
22.
h4
h6
23.
a4
b7
24.
h3
xh4
with the initiative for Black.
21.
e3?
is wrong:
bxc4
22.
xc4
d5!
23.
xd5
( 23.
xd5
h6
)
e7
followed by h6, winning the knight.
21.
xc4
exf4
A wrong idea.
21...
e4
is the natural move, taking the f3-square from the knight. 22.
h4
( 22.
e3?
d5!
23.
xd5
e7
leads to a position we've seen before. Black will play h6 next. )
a5
23.
a2
b3
24.
xb3
xb3
White's knights are unstable and Black has a clear advantage.
21...
a5
is also very good for Black after 22.
a2
b3
23.
xb3
xb3
22.
f3
a5
This makes things worse.
22...
e5
23.
a2
with a slight advantage for White.
23.
a2
b3
24.
xb3
xb3
Something went wrong with Black's calculations, as it's clear that his position has become considerably worse.
25.
xf4
...
The tension of this important match is felt by both chess players, who make more mistakes than usual.
25.
ad1?
is also not convincing:
xd5!
26.
xd5
xb2
25.
f2!
is the right move, protecting b2.
xd5
26.
xd5
b6
27.
d2!
b8
28.
e1!
The final detail. Black cannot capture on b2, and his position becomes strategically lost.
h6
( 28...
xb2
29.
xb2
xb2
30.
xb2
xb2
31.
e8+
) 29.
e2!
Black has too many weaknesses.
25....
b6+
26.
f2
b8
Now there's time to attack the pawn on b2.
27.
d1
...
27.
h5
is not enough for an advantage:
xb2
28.
xb2
xb2
29.
xb2
xb2
30.
xg7
xg7
31.
d1
a2
32.
xd6
xa3
33.
d4
with a likely draw.
27....
xb2
28.
xb2
xb2
29.
xb2
xb2
30.
xd6
a5
30...
xc3
31.
xa6
The bishop pair should provide enough for a draw, but it's always more fun to draw with a pawn up than a pawn down.
31.
d8
...
31.
d4??
it's never too late to blunder a piece:
e5!
31....
xc3
32.
d5
b1+
33.
f2
d1
34.
xg8+
xg8
35.
xc3
c1
The endgame is a draw, according to the machine, but it's certainly easier to play with the knights.
36.
b5
c2+
37.
f1
f7
38.
fd4
...
The status quo will be maintained for quite some time, with the knights going back and forth and the evaluation of the position remaining the same.
38....
c1+
39.
e2
f6
40.
d6
c3
41.
6b5
c1
42.
e3
g1
43.
f2
c1
44.
e2
b1
45.
bc3
b3
46.
a4
e5
47.
g3
b6
48.
e3
b4
49.
d3
h6
50.
e3
b3
51.
d3
b4
It's difficult for whites to create an active plan that poses problems for blacks.
52.
g1
b8
53.
f3+
f6
54.
d4
d8
55.
e3
c8
56.
d3
d8
57.
e2
...
Gukesh continues to refuse repetitions of moves and maneuvers his knights patiently.
57....
b8
58.
f4
b1
59.
d5+
e5
60.
c3
h1
As usual, the Chinese GM prefers an active move, which is a good choice.
60...
b6
61.
f3+
d6
is also enough for a draw.
61.
f3+
d6
62.
h4
h3
63.
e2
f4
64.
fg1
h1
65.
gxf4
xh4
66.
f3
h1
67.
f5
...
The f-pawn, supported by the knights, is White's last hope of victory.
67....
h5
There is nothing wrong with this move, but in the next continuation, Black puts himself in danger, having to find a single way to draw.
67...
a1
is easier: 68.
c3
e7
White cannot coordinate the knights and a draw is inevitable.
68.
c3
h4
69.
e4+
d7
70.
e5+
d8
70...
e7
is also possible.
71.
f6
...
Suddenly it has become difficult to save Black's position. The game has arrived at a study-like position.
71....
h3
The decisive error.
71...
d1+!
is the only defense. The following variations are difficult to understand, as they rely on brute calculation and not so much on logical considerations.
72.
e2
d5!
73.
g6
f5!
74.
xh4
f4!
What a rook! 75.
g6
xe4+
76.
d3
xa4!
77.
f7
f4!
78.
xf4
e7
and all White's pawns are captured. A pretty variation.
72.
e3
e1+!
Again the only move. 73.
f4
h3
and it seems Black escapes here.
72.
c4
h3
There are some fantastic lines.
73.
g5
73...
c1+!
74.
b5
f1
75.
f7
( 75.
gf3
e8
76.
xa5
f2
followed by h2. )
f5!
76.
f8=Q+
xf8
77.
xh3
f5
with a draw.
73...
h2?
74.
f7
f1
75.
gf3!
73...
f1
74.
f7
e7
75.
g6+
d8
76.
e6+!
d7
77.
ef4
The knights keep maneuvering and the f-pawn promotes.
73.
f7
73...
c1+!
Again the only move. Amazingly difficult. 74.
b3
( 74.
b5
f1
75.
g5
f5!
Now there's this saving move. )
b1+
75.
c2
f1
76.
g5
h2
77.
gf3
e7
with the king on the second rank, Black has this option. 78.
xh2
f2+
79.
d3
xh2
80.
c6+
xf7
81.
xa5
with a draw.
73...
e7
74.
g5
wins for White.
73...
f1
74.
g5
h2
75.
gf3!
The same idea as in the game.
72.
f7
f1
73.
g5
h2
74.
gf3
...
74.
ef3
is more accurate, according to the computer, but this is humanly impossible. Just look at the justification:
h1=Q
75.
f8=Q+
c7
76.
e6+
d7
77.
f7+
d6
78.
ed4!!
and the king is hopeless against the attack, while surprisingly Black's checks aren't dangerous.
74....
e7
74...
h1=Q
loses: 75.
f8=Q+
c7
76.
e7+
b6
77.
c4+
a6
78.
d6+
b7
79.
d7+
b8
80.
d8+
b7
81.
xa5+
a6
82.
a8+
b6
83.
c6+
xa5
84.
b5#
Who could foresee that the pawn on a4 would be so important?
74...
d1+!
is the last chance. It's not easy to demonstrate a win here. 75.
c4!
( 75.
e2?
e7
76.
xh2
a1
The a-pawn is captured. )
h1=Q
76.
f8=Q+
c7
Surprisingly it's not easy to mate. 77.
f4!!
This is the winning move, but I wonder if Gukesh would be able to find it.
75.
xh2
a1
76.
hg4
...
The only winning move.
76....
a3+
77.
d2
xa4
78.
h6
a2+
78...
f4
79.
g6+
79.
e3
a3+
80.
e4
Ng6+ cannot be prevented. A nervous and fascinating battle.
1-0

What's Next?

The most immediate high profile event on the agenda for Indian chess is Gukesh's World Championship match against the current title holder, Ding Liren, in November. Gukesh must be the favorite going in. For comparison, he won eight games on board one in the Olympiad and Ding failed to win any.
https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/images_users/tiny_mce/CoachJKane/phpykGIT7.jpg
Ding will have his hands full against Gukesh. Photo: Maria Emelianova/Chess.com.
The future is bright for Indian chess. Their top three boards are Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, and Erigaisi, the eldest of whom just turned 21 years old. You can expect India to dominate the Olympiads for years to come. The Soviet Union won 12 consecutive Olympiads between 1952 and 1974. For India to match that, they will need to win every Olympiad until 2046. It seems unlikely, but who is going to bet against them?