Chess Olympiad: Gukesh Embarks on Winning Streak Two Years After Chennai Heartbreak

Gukesh, now competing in Budapest, is showcasing a fierce determination to rectify past disappointments. After a first-round bye, the Indian chess prodigy has emerged victorious in all four games he has played so far at the 2024 Chess Olympiad, defeating four strong grandmasters.

At this year’s Olympiad, Gukesh has caught the attention of the chess world, including former and current world champions such as Magnus Carlsen, Vladimir Kramnik, and Ding Liren. His impressive performance against Azerbaijan’s Aydin Suleymanli, which he won in just 38 moves, is a testament to his skill and tenacity.
Reflecting on the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai, where a young Gukesh had made headlines by defeating top players like Fabiano Caruana, his subsequent loss to Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the 10th round had a significant impact. This defeat meant India missed out on gold, eventually settling for bronze while Uzbekistan claimed the top spot.

Two years later, Gukesh has come to Budapest with a renewed focus. In his recent games, he has defeated Vignir Vatnar Stefansson (Iceland), Adam Kozak (Hungary), Alexandr Predke (Serbia), and Aydin Suleymanli (Azerbaijan), all with an average rating exceeding 2600.
In his fastest win at the 2024 Olympiad, Gukesh demonstrated exceptional precision. Playing the Giuoco Pianissimo Variation of the Italian Game, he maintained a 30-minute time advantage by the 10th move and secured a material advantage by the 15th move, leading to Suleymanli’s resignation by the 38th move.

As a result, Gukesh has surged to a live rating of 2775.9 and is currently ranked No. 5 in the world, just behind compatriot Arjun Erigaisi. India now boasts three players in the live rankings, with Arjun fourth, Gukesh fifth, and Praggnanandhaa in 10th spot.
Gukesh’s standout performances have been instrumental in India’s recent 3-1 victory over Azerbaijan in the fifth round. While Arjun secured a win against Rauf Mamedov, Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi each settled for draws against Nijat Abasov and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, respectively.