The 45th Chess Olympiad: A Historic Gathering in Budapest
The 45th Chess Olympiad, hosted in Budapest, Hungary, will mark a significant milestone in chess history. Scheduled from September 10-23 at the BOK Sports Hall, the event will bring together 374 teams from across the globe, making it the largest Chess Olympiad in history.
The 45th Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September 10-23, 2024, in Budapest, Hungary, is set to be a historic event in the chess world. With 374 teams from around the globe participating, this Olympiad will feature the highest number of teams in the event’s history, including a record number of women’s teams. The tournament will be held at the BOK Sports Hall and is organized by the Hungarian National Events Organizing Agency in collaboration with the Hungarian Chess Federation and FIDE. This year’s Olympiad will not only be a fierce competition but also a celebration of chess, featuring various parallel events, including a special art project by Chilean artist Juga to honor women in chess.
Hungary’s Chess Legacy
Hungary, a nation with a rich chess history, will once again be at the center of the chess world. Hungary has a storied legacy in chess, having secured 12 team medals in past Olympiads, making it one of the most successful chess nations. Hosting this Olympiad reinforces Hungary’s deep connection to the game and its ongoing commitment to promoting chess on the world stage.
Top Teams to Watch
USA: The USA team, led by Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, Leinier Dominguez, Levon Aronian, and Ray Robson, enters as one of the strongest contenders in the Open Section.
Uzbekistan: The defending champions, with Nodirbek Abdusattorov on board 1 and Vladimir Kramnik as captain, will aim to defend their title, a feat only achieved by five countries.
India: Featuring rising stars like Gukesh D. and Arjun Erigaisi, India’s team is set to make a strong challenge, especially with Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu in their lineup.
China: Led by World Champion Ding Liren and World No.8 Wei Yi, China’s team is another strong contender.
Norway: With World No.1 Magnus Carlsen on board 1, Norway, although the 6th team in rating, brings significant firepower to the competition.
In the Women’s Section, Team Georgia enters as the rating favorite, aiming to improve upon their runner-up finish in Chennai 2022. The Indian women’s team, now featuring rising star Divya Deshmukh, also looks strong despite missing Humpy Koneru. China’s young team, although missing top-10 players, has the potential to surprise, with Zhu Jiner and 14-year-old national champion Lu Miaoyi leading the charge.
A Celebration of Chess
The Olympiad is more than just a competition; it is a celebration of chess. Alongside the main event, the BOK Sports Hall will host a variety of chess-related activities, including an exhibition commemorating the 100-year anniversary of FIDE. Children will have the opportunity to learn the game through Judit Polgár’s Chess Palace program, while experienced players can explore the latest trends in chess and access specialist literature.
Adding to the festivities, Chilean singer and artist Juga will launch a unique art project in Budapest, celebrating women in chess. The project, a short film featuring top female players and contributors to the chess community, will be filmed on September 17 at the Hungarian Fine Arts Museum, during the Olympiad’s rest day.
Competition Format and Prizes
The Olympiad will follow an 11-round Swiss team format played with classical time controls. Teams will compete for prestigious trophies, including the Hamilton-Russell Cup for the top Open team, the Vera Menchik Cup for the top Women’s team, and the Nona Gaprindashvili Trophy, awarded to the nation with the highest combined match points in the Open and Women’s sections.
As the chess world converges on Budapest for the 45th Chess Olympiad, the event promises to be a landmark moment in the sport’s history. With a record number of participating teams and a host of parallel events celebrating the game’s rich culture, the Olympiad is set to captivate chess enthusiasts worldwide and inspire future generations of players.
