Best of the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai
Here’s a look back at the highlights of the 44th Chess Olympiad, hosted by India for the first time, through the lens of our photographers.
12 August, 2022 08:33 IST
12 August, 2022 08:33 IST

The venue was packed with dignitaries on day 1 of the Olympiad with the Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur in attendance to make the opening move. The rush on day 1 posed challenges to the security forces, who then made restrictions around the playing area tighter to ensure the space was distraction-free for the players. Photo: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Chess does not come across as a very spectator-friendly sport. However, with passes being made available for students and a general interest in the game in the city, crowds were seen making their way into halls to watch players of their choice battle it off across the 64 squares. Photo: Velankanni Raj B

The Olympiad was also a great opportunity for many countries to showcase their native fashion. Mohamed Ali Dima from Djibouti has the photographers interested with his attire. "Veshti" was the word going around, with camera persons and spectators trying to identify his assemble with what was familiar to them. Dima's outfit even caught USA's Wesley So's eye who then joined him for a photographer. Photo: Velankanni Raj B

Children were a key part of the Olympiad experience. Many young children matched experienced Grandmasters move for move in Chennai and were a press favourite. Among them were Scotland's Frederick Waldhausen Gordon and Palestine's Randa Seder, who was also the youngest player at the Olympiad this time. Photo: Velankanni Raj B

Poland's Oliwia Kiolbasa finished with a gold medal in board 3 and was an imposing figure throughout the Olympiad. She was on a nine-game winning streak. She finally dropped points in round 10, when she drew with Lela Javakhishvili of Georgia. She was finally beaten by Ukraine's Anna Ushenina in round 11. Photo: Velankanni Raj B

Finishing with a gold medal on board one, D Gukesh was easily the pick of the Indian teams combined in this Olympiad. He enjoyed a 8/8 winning streak before he let the pressure get to him. He followed Oliwia Kiolbasa's trajectory of a draw and a loss - a draw to Azerbaijan's Shakhriyar Mamedyarov followed by an entirely avoidable loss to Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattoro . Gukesh finished with eight wins as he drew his final game against Germany's Vincent Keymer. Photo: Velankanni Raj B
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