New Delhi: Fresh from scripting history in Chess Olympiad, Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi has decided to give up the chance to defend his title at the 10th Vugar Gashimov Memorial Chess Super Tournament in Azerbaijan for an audience with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Gujrathi was instrumental in India’s maiden title-winning campaign at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest. India etched its name in the history books with a double gold as both men and women claimed top podium finishes in the Hungarian capital.
Gujrathi won the title in the Azerbaijan event last year after edging past compatriot Arjun Erigaisi.
He was part of the victorious Indian men’s team, which also included D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun.
Vidit makes an unbelievable sacrifice
Gujrathi took to ‘X’, (formerly Twitter), to inform that he reached Baku for the event but decided to return to India to meet PM Modi, as per a report in PTI.
Gujrathi has been replaced by Aravindh Chithambaram for the event scheduled to be held in Baku from September 25-30.
The victorious Chess Olympiad team will meet PM On Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, the team will also be felicitated by the All India Chess Federation (AICF) in the capital.
Players, who will take part in the felicitation include D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, D Harika, R Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agarwal and Tania Sachdev. Coaches GM Srinath and GM Abhijit Kunte will also be felicitated at the event.
India scripted history in the 45th edition of the Chess Olympiad by becoming only the third country after China and the erstwhile Soviet Union to win twin gold medals.
The men’s team routed Slovenia 3.5-0.5, while the women’s team brushed aside Azerbaijan with an identical margin in the 11th and final round.
The Indian men’s team, in particular, produced an almost flawless performance, dropping only 1 game out of 44.
India scripted history in the 45th edition of the Chess Olympiad by becoming only the third country after China and the erstwhile Soviet Union to win twin gold medals. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
