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Grandmaster D Gukesh, a rising star in the chess world, has led the Indian men's team to a historic victory at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Gukesh, who is set to challenge for the World Championship title in November, showcased his exceptional skills and nerves of steel against top-seeded teams.In a crucial match against Fabiano Caruana of the United States, Gukesh employed a Catalan opening, which led to a complex middle game. Gukesh seized the initiative, capturing a pawn and forcing Caruana into a difficult position. Under pressure, Caruana faltered and lost a second pawn, allowing Gukesh to enter a winning endgame.Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa fought valiantly against Wesley So, but the American team gained an early lead. However, Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Gujrathi remained composed, securing victories against Lenier Dominguez Perez and Levon Aronian, respectively.With one round remaining, the Indian men's team is poised to claim their first-ever Olympiad gold medal. Their triumph is a testament to their talent, determination, and the growing strength of Indian chess.On the women's side, Divya Deshmukh continued to shine, defeating Ni Shiqun of China on board three. R Vaishali also played a crucial role, holding her own against Guo Qi and forcing a draw. D Harika and Vantika Agarwal secured draws on the top and second boards, respectively.With Georgia expected to defeat Kazakhstan, the Indian women's team is likely to regain the top position and become the favorites for the gold medal. Their performance has been equally impressive, showcasing the depth of talent in Indian chess.

Norway Chess 2024: Carlsen Extends Lead, Praggnanandhaa Loses in ArmageddonThe Norway Chess tournament is nearing its conclusion, with the stakes reaching unprecedented heights. In the main event, all classical games of Round 9 ended in draws, forcing an Armageddon tie-breaker to determine the match winners.India's Praggnanandhaa R suffered a setback in Armageddon against Fabiano Caruana, who now has a slim chance of claiming the title. Caruana must defeat Hikaru Nakamura in the final round and hope that Magnus Carlsen loses his game against Caruana.Carlsen, the five-time World Champion, extended his lead with an Armageddon victory over Alireza Firouzja in Round 9. A win in the final round would secure him the tournament outright. Nakamura, who lost to Ding Liren in Armageddon, needs to win his last game with Black against Praggnanandhaa to remain in contention.In the women's tournament, Lei Tingjie secured the only classical win of the day against Vaishali R. The Chinese GM's decisive victory with the white pieces in 30 moves has significantly boosted her chances of winning the tournament in the final round.Ju Wenjun, the Women's World Champion, defeated Koneru Humpy in Armageddon to take a 1.5-point lead in the competition. Anna Muzychuk also registered a tie-break win over Pia Cramling.With the tournament reaching its final round, only 1.5 points separate Wenjun, Tingjie, and Muzychuk at the top of the table in the women's tournament. The inaugural edition of the Norway Chess 2024 Women's Tournament is poised for a thrilling finish.

Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has taken the chess world by storm with his stunning victories over world number one Magnus Carlsen and world number two Fabiano Caruana at the ongoing Norway Chess competition.Praggnanandhaa, just 18 years old, has become the first player to defeat both Carlsen and Caruana in classical chess in the same tournament. His heroics have propelled him into the top ten of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Rankings.In round three, Praggnanandhaa used white pieces to outplay Carlsen, the five-time World Champion. The Indian teenager displayed intelligent moves and tactical prowess to secure a memorable victory.Just a day later, Praggnanandhaa faced Caruana in round five and emerged victorious once again. This time, he used black pieces to neutralize Caruana's aggressive play and eventually forced a resignation.Praggnanandhaa's achievements have garnered praise from across the globe, including from Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani. "Incredible Praggnanandhaa! Beating both World No.1 Magnus Carlsen and No.2 Fabiano Caruana in classical chess at #NorwayChess is mindblowing," Adani tweeted.While Praggnanandhaa has been making headlines in the main event, his sister Vaishali has also been impressive in the Norway Chess Women's Tournament. She has extended her lead to 8.5 points after defeating legendary Pia Cramling.Meanwhile, local hero Carlsen registered a narrow victory over Caruana in the main event, while Alireza Firouzja stunned reigning World Champion Ding Liren.Norway Chess 2024, which commenced on May 27 and will conclude on June 7, has brought together the world's elite chess players for a super-tournament. The event features both the Norway Chess tournament and the Norway Chess Women's Tournament, showcasing the best male and female players globally.

Magnus Carlsen, the five-time world chess champion, has shared his insights on the upcoming Candidates tournament, which will determine his challenger for the next World Championship. In an interview on the Sjakksnakk podcast, Carlsen expressed his belief that Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura are the strongest contenders to emerge victorious.Carlsen highlighted the consistency and experience of Nakamura and Caruana, stating that they are the "best and most consistent players" in the field. He acknowledged the potential of rising stars like Alireza Firouzja, but emphasized that a victory for any of the other four participants (Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Vidit, Abasov) would be a major upset.Regarding the World Championship match itself, Carlsen believes that Nakamura poses a significant threat to Ding Liren, the current challenger. He noted that Nakamura has historically performed well against Ding, while Ding has struggled against Caruana. However, Carlsen also emphasized that Ding's recent form has been impressive, and if he maintains that level of play, he could challenge either Nakamura or Caruana.Carlsen also discussed his own absence from the World Championship cycle, stating that he has no immediate plans to return. He expressed contentment with his decision to step away and believes that it has been beneficial for his overall well-being.On the topic of the younger generation of chess players, Carlsen expressed skepticism about whether any of them will surpass his own achievements. He acknowledged their potential but doubted that they would reach the same level of dominance that he has enjoyed.Carlsen emphasized his continued love for the game, despite his reduced involvement in competitive chess. He enjoys playing casual online games and believes that taking breaks from major tournaments can be beneficial for his motivation.