Chess Olympiad 2024: Indians in action, schedule, format, live streaming, pairings — all you need to know
The 45th edition of the Chess Olympiad will take place in Hungary from September 10 to 23.
This will be the first time since 1926 that the world’s biggest multi-national chess tournament returns to Budapest.
A total of 193 teams in the Open section and 181 in the Women’s will battle it out over 11 rounds in a Swiss Format.
Here’s all you need to know about the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024:
PREVIEW
Chess is an individual sport by nature, but the excitement and dynamics of playing it in a team format elevate the Olympiad to a unique and special status. This year, the world’s biggest multi-national chess tournament returns to Budapest for the first time since 1926, with the 45th Chess Olympiad set to take place in Hungary from September 10 to 23.
A total of 193 teams in the Open section and 181 in the Women’s will battle it out over 11 rounds of the Swiss format for a chance at a podium finish. India, which hosted the previous edition, bagged bronze medals in both sections and will be looking to build on that success.
With an average rating of 2755, India enters the open section as the second-seeded team, just behind the USA (2758). It boasts a supremely talented lineup, including world championship challenger D. Gukesh, world No. 4 Arjun Erigaisi, and world No. 12 R. Praggnanandhaa. They are well supported by the experienced shoulders of Vidit Gujrathi and Pentala Harikrishna, making India one of the strongest contenders.
SCHEDULE
- Tuesday, September 10, 2024 – Arrival, Opening Ceremony & Technical Meeting
- Wednesday, September 11, 2024 – Round 1
- Thursday, September 12, 2024 – Round 2
- Friday, September 13, 2024 – Round 3
- Saturday, September 14, 2024 – Round 4
- Sunday, September 15, 2024 – Round 5
- Monday, September 16, 2024 – Round 6
- Tuesday, September, 17, 2024 – Rest Day — Bermuda Party
- Wednesday, September 18, 2024 – Round 7
- Thursday, September 19, 2024 – Round 8
- Friday, September 20, 2024 – Round 9
- Saturday, September 21, 2024 – Round 10
- Sunday, September 22, 2024 – Round 11
— All matches start at 15.00 Budapest time, or 18:30 IST
FORMAT
The Olympiad will be played in an 11-round non-elimination Swiss system format with all teams being paired in every rounds.
TIME CONTROL
The time control for both open and women’s categories is 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest of the game, plus a 30-second increment per move starting from move one.
Players are permitted to offer a draw at any time
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PRIZE MONEY
The winning team in the open section of the Chess Olympiad comprises the recipients of the “Hamilton-Russell Cup”.
The winning team in the women’s section of the Chess Olympiad comprises the recipients of the “Vera Menchik Cup”.
The winning federation in the combined classification of the Chess Olympiad comprises the recipients of the “Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy”.
VENUE
The 45th Chess Olympiad will be held in the BOK Sports and Conference Centre in Budapest.
PAIRING
ROUND ONE PAIRINGS:
OPEN SECTION
India vs Morocco
WOMEN’S SECTION
Jamaica vs India
LIVE STREAMING INFO
Where to watch the live stream of the Chess Olympiad 2024?
The live streaming of the Chess Olympiad 2024 will be available on the FIDE YouTube channel.
Which TV channel will broadcast the Chess Olympiad 2024 chess?
There has been no official announcement for the broadcasting of the Chess Olympiad 2024 in India.
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INDIANS IN ACTION
OPEN SECTION
Board 1: D. Gukesh
Board 2: R. Praggnanandhaa
Board 3: Arjun Erigaisi
Board 4: Vidit Gujrathi
Board 5: Pentala Harikrishna
WOMEN’S SECTION
Board 1: Harika Dronavalli
Board 2: R Vaishali
Board 3: Divya Deshmukh
Board 4: Vantika Agarwal
Board 5: Tania Sachdev
FILE PHOTO: The second seed India that won bronze in Chennai will miss Humpy Koneru this time, but with a rising star Divya Deshmukh joining Rameshbabu Vaishali, Harika Dronavalli, Vantika Agrawal and Tania Sachdev in Budapest.
FILE PHOTO: The second seed India that won bronze in Chennai will miss Humpy Koneru this time, but with a rising star Divya Deshmukh joining Rameshbabu Vaishali, Harika Dronavalli, Vantika Agrawal and Tania Sachdev in Budapest.
TOP FIVE SEEDS IN THE WOMEN’S SECTION
1. Georgia (2459) Captain: Vladimir B Tukmakov
Nana Dzagnidze (2505); Nino Batsiashvili (2451); Lela Javakhishvili (2451); Bella Khotenashvili (2427); Salome Melia (2325)
2. India (2458) Captain: Abhijit Kunte
Harika Dronavalli (2491); R. Vaishali (2488); Divya Deshmukh (2464); Vantika Agrawal (2390); Tania Sachdev (2386)
3. Poland (2416) Captain: Marcin Dziuba
Alina Kashlinskaya (2474); Monika Socko (2419); Aleksandra Maltsevskaya (2404); Oliwia Kiolbasa (2367); Alicja Sliwicka (2357)
4. China (2416) Captain: Yang Shen
Zhu Jiner (2469); Miaoyi Lu (2449); Yuxin Song (2383); Qi Guo (2362); Shiqun Ni (2352)
5. Azerbaijan (2414) Captain: Mihail Shereshevsky
Gunay Mammadzada (2441); Govhar Beydullayeva (2412); Khanim Balajayeva (2404); Ulviyya Fataliyeva (2399); Gulnar Mammadova (2341)
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TOP FIVE SEEDS IN THE OPEN SECTION
1. United States (2758) Captain: John Donaldson
Fabiano Caruana (2796); Wesley So (2757); Leinier Dominguez Perez (2748); Levon Aronian (2729); Ray Robson (2700)
2. India (2755) Captain: Srinath Narayanan
Arjun Erigaisi (2778); D. Gukesh (2763); R. Praggnanandhaa (2757); Vidit Santosh Gujrathi (2720); Pentala Harikrishna (2695)
3. China (2729) Captain: Yang Wen
Wei Yi (2755); Ding Liren (2745); Yu Yangyi (2720); Bu Xiangzhi (2697); Wang Yue (2652)
4. Uzbekistan (2684) Captain: Vladimir Kramnik
Nodirbek Abdusattorov (2769); Javokhir Sindarov (2674); Nodirbek Yakubboev (2648); Shamsiddin Vokhidov (2643); Jakhongir Vakhidov (2571)
5. Netherlands (2679) Captain: Jan Smeets
Anish Giri (2745); Jorden Van Foreest (2671); Max Warmerdam (2663); Erwin L’ami (2635); Benjamin Bok (2587)