Online Chess Olympiad: Congratulatory messages pour in for Indian chess team

Indian chess team at the FIDE Online Olympiad created history on 30 August by winning its first-ever gold.

Chennai: Congratulatory messages pour in for Indian chess team that won the first FIDE Online Chess Olympiad along with Russia on Sunday. The India team at the FIDE Online Olympiad created history on 30 August by winning its first-ever gold. However, in another first, this was shared with Russia, following an internet failure that affected two games.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "Congratulations to our chess players for winning the FIDE Online #ChessOlympiad. Their hard work and dedication are admirable. Their success will surely motivate other chess players. I would like to congratulate the Russian team as well."

Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted: "I congratulate our Indian contingent that won the Gold at the @FIDE_chess Online Chess Olympiad. India was declared the joint winner with Russia. My heartiest wishes to all players!"

Similarly, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted: "Congratulations India Flag of India and Congratulations Russia Flag of Russia. #ChessA #IndianChess."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a tweet said: "Congratulations Indian team, on winning the online FIDE Chess Olympiad. You've made the country proud. Congrats to the Russian team too."

In a dramatic finish, the global chess body FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich declared India and Russia as joint winners as the final match was interrupted by a computer server problem.