Pakistan team holds Indian flag as D Gukesh and Co celebrate gold medals win at Chess Olympiad

Rarely do we get to see stories of friendship between Pakistan and India nowadays but a recent incident from the 45th Chess Olympiad is going viral on the internet where players from both countries can be seen enjoying each other’s company. Indian men’s and women’s teams won a historic gold medal at the recently concluded Chess Olympiad.

They were later seen celebrating their victories alongside the Pakistani team, which not only joined their neighbours for photographs but also held the Indian flag to show their respect.

IND-PAK friendship at Chess Olympiad

The gesture has won the hearts of millions on social media as sporting encounters between the two countries have become rare in today’s time.

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Meanwhile, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, along with Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, felicitated the Indian chess team on Thursday.

Pakistani Chess Team with the Champions of Chess Olympiad 2024 - Team India!#chess #chessbaseindia #ChessOlympiad2024 #india pic.twitter.com/LHEveDvEOt

— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) September 26, 2024

The event took place in New Delhi to celebrate the remarkable achievements of the chess teams, whose victories have brought immense pride and joy to the nation.

During his interaction with chess players, Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted India’s rich connection with chess, noting that the game originated in India and is an integral part of the country’s cultural and intellectual heritage.
“By winning on the global stage, you have not only made the entire nation proud but have also honoured the legacy of our traditional heritage,” Mansukh Mandaviya was quoted in a release from PIB as saying.

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Urging the medallists to be active ambassadors of the youth, Mandaviya encouraged them to share their stories of hard work, resilience, and dedication with the next generation. “I call upon you to visit schools, colleges, and other institutions to inspire our youth. Channel their energy towards nation-building and guide them with your journey. You are both youth icons and youth ambassadors, and it is your responsibility to motivate the next generation to adopt the spirit of ‘Nation First.’”

India’s record performance

At the 45th Chess Olympiad, the men and women defeated Slovenia and Azerbaijan, respectively, in the final rounds to clinch the titles. In the Open section, Team India won 10 out of 11 matches, drawing only once against the previous edition’s champion, Team Uzbekistan. India topped the table with 21 points. In the women’s section, Team India won 9 out of 11 matches, with one draw against Team USA and one loss to Team Poland. India topped the table with 19 points.

Four Indian players also won individual gold medals for their exceptional performances: Gukesh D. on Board 1 and Arjun Erigaisi on Board 3 in the Open section, along with Divya Deshmukh on Board 3 and Vantika Agrawal on Board 4 in the Women’s section.

In a heartwarming note, the chess champions expressed their immense gratitude, they had met and interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They said this has deeply motivated and inspired them to continue working hard and making the nation proud with their future achievements.

With ANI inputs