Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan recently extended his heartfelt congratulations to India’s chess teams for their historic double gold medal victory at the 45th Chess Olympiad, which took place in Budapest, Hungary. The veteran actor, known for his patriotism and love for sports, took to social media to celebrate this monumental achievement, acknowledging the remarkable performances of both the men’s and women’s teams, which brought home the gold for the first time in India’s Chess Olympiad history.
Sharing a video on Instagram that showcased stills of the triumphant players, Bachchan expressed his immense pride and admiration for the chess teams. In his caption, he wrote, “India’s amazing victory at Chess Olympiad!!! Chess players, full India is grateful. The chest is wide with pride, they have spread the tricolour.” His emotional post reflected the collective pride felt across the nation, as the Indian chess contingent achieved this historic milestone.
The 45th Chess Olympiad turned out to be a game-changing event for Indian chess, with both the men’s and women’s teams clinching gold medals, marking a new chapter in the country’s sports history. The men’s team, consisting of Vidit Gujrathi, Arjun Erigaisi, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Pentala Harikrishna, and D Gukesh, made history by securing India’s first-ever gold medal in the open category of the Chess Olympiad. This ended a 97-year wait for India to claim the top prize in one of the world’s most prestigious chess competitions.
Not to be outdone, the women’s team also brought immense pride to the country. The team, comprising Divya Deshmukh, D Harika, Tania Sachdev, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Vantika Agrawal, won gold in the women’s category, propelling the country into euphoric celebrations. This double victory firmly established India as a powerhouse in the global chess community and earned the country recognition on the international stage.
India’s success at the Chess Olympiad is a monumental feat, as it marked the first time in 45 years that the country secured gold medals in the event. The win is being hailed as one of the greatest achievements in Indian sports, particularly in the game of chess, a field in which India has been steadily rising over the years, thanks to the efforts of brilliant young players and strong coaching infrastructure.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded the teams’ remarkable achievement. Taking to social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Modi wrote, “Historic win for India as our chess contingent wins the 45th #FIDE Chess Olympiad! India has won the Gold in both open and women’s category at Chess Olympiad! Congratulations to our incredible Men’s and Women’s Chess Teams.”
The Prime Minister went on to praise the impact of the victory on the country’s sports trajectory. “This remarkable achievement marks a new chapter in India’s sports trajectory. May this success inspire generations of chess enthusiasts to excel in the game,” he added, underlining the significance of this win for future generations of Indian chess players.
The victories in Budapest highlight not only the immense talent of India’s chess players but also the growing recognition of chess as a significant sport in the country. Players like Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, and Harika have become household names, and their performances have inspired a new generation of aspiring chess players in India.
On the professional front, Amitabh Bachchan continues to dominate Bollywood with his iconic presence. He was recently seen in the blockbuster film Kalki 2898 AD and has upcoming projects lined up, including Vettaiyan, in which he will reunite with Tamil megastar Rajinikanth after 33 years. Despite his busy schedule, Big B never misses an opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the country’s sports achievements, further endearing him to his millions of fans who admire his patriotic spirit and love for India.
With India’s chess teams now etched in history for their incredible performances, the nation celebrates a proud moment that will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.
