The inaugural FIDE Chess Online Olympiad, held in 2020, was a historic event organized by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With traditional over-the-board chess events canceled due to global restrictions, FIDE introduced this online format to bring the chess community together and continue the spirit of competition.
The Olympiad was conducted on chess.com, a popular online chess platform.
It featured a hybrid team format with each team comprising players from different categories: two open players, two women players, one male junior, and one female junior.
The matches were played in a rapid time control of 15 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move.
The Indian team, captained by Vishal Sareen, demonstrated exceptional skill and resilience throughout the event, defeating strong opponents like Armenia and Poland in the knockout rounds.
Viswanathan Anand (former World Champion)
Koneru Humpy (World Rapid Champion)
D. Harika
Vidit Gujrathi (captain)
Praggnanandhaa R.
Nihal Sarin
Divya Deshmukh
Vantika Agrawal
The team’s blend of experienced players and young prodigies made them a formidable force.
India faced Russia in the final, which was held on August 30, 2020.
The final was closely contested and ended in dramatic circumstances when technical issues marred the second round.
Two Indian players, Nihal Sarin and Divya Deshmukh, lost on time due to internet disconnection.
India appealed to the FIDE Appeals Committee, which acknowledged the technical glitches.
After deliberation, FIDE decided to award the gold medal to both India and Russia, marking a historic first-ever shared gold in the history of the Chess Olympiad.
This decision highlighted the unique challenges of online chess while ensuring fairness in unprecedented circumstances.
This was India’s first-ever gold medal in the Chess Olympiad, an achievement that placed the country firmly on the global chess map.
The triumph showcased the depth of talent in Indian chess, particularly the contributions of its young players and women players.
The FIDE Online Olympiad brought attention to the potential of online chess as a viable competitive platform, especially during challenging times like the pandemic.
It also boosted chess’s popularity in India, inspiring a surge in online participation and viewership.
The 2020 FIDE Chess Online Olympiad was a groundbreaking event that not only adapted to the constraints of the pandemic but also highlighted the resilience of chess as a sport. India’s shared gold medal with Russia marked a proud moment in the country’s chess history and inspired a new generation of players to take up the game.
