The atmosphere was so relaxed’: Chess Olympiad winners share their experiences from meeting with PM Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted India’s young chess champions at his official residence to celebrate their historic victories at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, where both the men’s and women’s teams won their first gold medals.

The teams presented Modi with a chess board, and he enjoyed watching players Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi in a blitz game. After the meeting, the players expressed how comfortable they felt, saying it was as if they were not speaking to the Prime Minister.

The men’s team, featuring standout performances from D. Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R. Praggnanandhaa, clinched the gold with a thrilling final round victory over Slovenia. Meanwhile, the women’s team, comprised of Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agrawal, and Tania Sachdev, secured their gold by defeating Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5.

Team captain Abhijit Kunte shared that Modi had mentioned their achievement during a speech in the U.S. shortly after their victory. “He was eager for the world to know about our unique achievement,” Kunte noted.

Vidit Gujrathi reflected on the meeting, stating, “Receiving praise from the Prime Minister means a lot. He made us feel at ease, joked with us, and shared insights on managing responsibilities.”

Vantika Agarwal was thrilled that Modi remembered her birthday, which she celebrated on September 20. She recalled meeting him as a 9-year-old winner of the Asian Championships, highlighting his ongoing support for young athletes.

Gukesh added, “The fact that he remembered Vantika’s birthday shows how much he cares for us.”

Tania Sachdeva shared that the meeting left the teams feeling inspired, saying, “I learned a lot from him, especially about handling pressure. It was a truly special day.”

Vaishali Rameshbabu appreciated Modi’s personal touch, noting that he asked about her family, making her feel connected. “He values yoga and meditation, along with physical fitness,” she said.

Praggnanandhaa praised Modi’s knowledge of chess, stating, “He made us feel comfortable, which is important.”

Harika Dronavalli emphasized the down-to-earth nature of their conversation, saying, “We forgot we were speaking to the Prime Minister.”

Divya Deshmukh echoed this sentiment, remarking, “The atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed. He spoke about being open to suggestions and criticism, which is a remarkable quality.”

The men’s team, consisting of Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Arjun, Vidit Gujrathi, and Harikrishna Pentala, led the tournament with 10 wins and only one draw. In the final round, they defeated Slovenia 3.5-0.5, despite needing only a draw to secure the gold.

The women’s team also had a strong performance, leading the event early on and finishing decisively against Azerbaijan, winning their final match and securing their gold medal.

Overall, the players expressed their gratitude for the support they received and the inspiration they gained from their meeting with PM Modi.