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Women demonstrate their brainstorming ability at the International Chess Olympiad Budapest.

Image Credit: FIDE

The Women’s Chess Olympiad is poised to break booking records this year as well, with 184 teams registered, surpassing the 162 teams that competed in Channa in 2022.

This historical event saw single debuting teams, including Liechtenstein, Guernsey, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts and Nevis, the US Virgin Islands, St. Lucia, Nauru, and the Cayman Islands, marking a significant step in the impressive growth of women’s chess.

India and Georgia Lead the Charge for Gold

Top teams from the 2022 edition—India, Georgia, and Ukraine—are favorites to win in Budapest. Based on median ratings, the top five teams are:

  • India: 2467
  • Georgia: 2462
  • Poland: 2422
  • China: 2416
  • Ukraine: 2400

Top teams from the past edition, such as Ukraine as well as Georgia, and India, are among the favorites to win in Budapest.

According to the median ratings of their rosters, the top five teams are India 2467 as well as ‘Georgia 2462, Poland 2422 as well as China 2416,’ and Ukraine 2400.

India, led by Aarika Dronavalli, features a mix of experienced players and rising stars. Aarika, participating in her 10th Olympiad as well as debuted for the domestic team in 2004 and had been a uniform presence as well as playing on the first board six times.

She was joined by Vaishali R, Diva Deshmukh, Danika Arawak, and Tania Sachem, who had been on the domestic team since 2008.

Indian women’s chess is experiencing a surge, and the team is eager to build on their sunburn medal win in Channa in 2022.

Georgia, a formal fireball in women’s chess,’ enters the Olympiad with nine medals to their name as well as including four golds.

The last gold was won in 2008, and the team now looks to its successors to uplift Georgia’s glory days.

The card includes seasoned players Nana Dzagnidze,’ and Lela Javakhishvili, as well as ‘Dino Batsiashvili, Bela Khotenashvili, and Salome Belia, all of whom bring all-encompassing Olympiad experience.

Georgia narrowly missed gold in 2022 and lost out to Ukraine, but their alcoholic card makes them grievous contenders once again.

Related articles: India Young Chess Cautions Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa to Lead in the 45th Chess Olympiad.


Challenges and New Talent Shape the Competition

“The Women’s Chess Olympiad is not just about competition, but a celebration of global talent.”

Image Credit: Times of India

Defending champions Ukraine face challenges this year, notably the absence of the Muzychuk sisters, two of the world’s top 10 players.

Despite this setback, Ukraine stiffened a redoubtable opposition with a role that included Julia Osman as well as Anna Ushering, Natalia Bursa, Inna Gaponenko, and Eugenia Doluhanova.

Ukraine’s superlative effectiveness lies in their live team spirit, which had helped them slant tempest victories in the past.

The team was rated #5 in the starting list and looked to be leveraging their potential and unity to fight for the top spot.

China, as well as a predominant force in women’s chess with 14 Olympic medals, is taking a bold admittance by fielding a young team in Budapest.

Top players Hou Yuan, Ju Wenjun, Tan Zhongyi, and Lei Tingle are absent, making way for emerging talents like 21-year-old Zhu Diner, 14-year-old Lu Miami, 19-year-old Song Auxin, 29-year-old Guo Qi, 27-year-old Ni Shaun.

Lu Miami, highlighted by Tan Zhongyi as a rising star as well as is already rated 2438 and was ranked #31 in the women’s rating list.

With her chess roots thickly embedded—her mother, WGM Xu Yuanyuan, introduced her to the game at age three—Lu and her teammates were expected to draw meaningful tending in Budapest.

Poland’s team as well as strengthened by the plus of Alina Kashlinskaya and Aleksandr Maltsevskaya, both of whom switched federations, is another amazing contender.

Kashlinskaya showcased her form by winning the Tbilisi FIDE Women’s Grand Trix in August.

Poland’s team, bolstered by the addition of Alina Kashlinskaya and Aleksandr Maltsevskaya, both of whom switched federations, is another formidable contender.

Kashlinskaya showcased her form by winning the Tbilisi FIDE Women’s Grand Trix in August. The team, features Monika Jocko, an old-timer with a long-standing presence in Polish chess, and Olivia Kielbasa,

who had the best individual performance at the past Olympiad, and young talent Alica Śliwicka, is determined to fight for their first Olympic gold this year.


Spotlight on Individual Performances

Image Credit: ANI News

Individual Performances to Watch

  • Bodhana Sivanandan: Competing for England at just nine years old.
  • Rani Hamid: Representing Bangladesh at 80, a true chess legend.
  • WIM Natasha Morales Santos: Leading Puerto Rico as a visually impaired athlete.

Beyond team rivalries, the Olympiad also highlighted the individual performances of different and inspiring players.

Among them is Bodhana Sivanandan, competing for England at just nine years old, and 80-year-old WIM Rani Hamid from Bangladesh, a 20-time domestic super who began playing chess at 34.

WIM Natasha Morales Santos,’ a visually impaired worker leading Puerto Rico, also exemplifies the spirit of tenacity that defines the Olympiad.

As the Olympiad unfolds, Budapest will learn a festivity of chess talent, new records, and the thrilling rise of a new extension of champions.

The stage is set for a sizzling tournament, with seasoned veterans and fresh faces alike competing for glory on the world stage. With a mix of experience as well as youth,’ and determination, this Olympiad promises to be a maiden of the best in women’s chess.

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References: fide.com/news/3199

chessolympiad2024.fide.com

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