The much-anticipated 45th Chess Olympiad 2024 commenced on August 10 and will run until September 23, 2024, in Budapest, Hungary. This prestigious global event is being organized by the Hungarian Chess Federation on behalf of FIDE (World Chess Federation) alongside the 95th FIDE Congress.
Hungary holds a special place in chess history, having hosted the first unofficial Chess Olympiad for teams in 1926 and winning the first two official Olympiads in 1927 and 1928. Now, almost a century later, Budapest proudly hosts the 45th edition of this iconic event.
The 45th Chess Olympiad 2024 is taking place at the BOK Hall, located in the heart of Budapest. This prestigious venue, known for hosting a range of international events, is perfectly suited for the scale and significance of the Olympiad. With teams from all over the world participating, the BOK Hall is set to witness intense chess battles over the next several weeks.
The Olympiad features two main categories: Open and Women, with a total of 11 rounds in a Swiss system format for teams. The time control for each match is set at 40 moves in 90 minutes, plus 30 minutes for the remainder of the game, with an additional 30 seconds increment per move starting from move one.
In the Open category, an impressive 197 teams are competing. Sri Lanka, ranked 134th on the initial list, is fielding a strong team, consisting of:
- IM Ranindu Dilshan Liyanage (ELO 2366)
- Kosala Sandeepa Chamikara Amarathunga (ELO 1956)
- Dhanushka Bandara (ELO 1903)
- K K Dinujaya Kodithuwakku (ELO 1826)
The team is led by IM Zhanibek Amanov as the non-playing captain, guiding the players through the tough competition. In the first round, Sri Lanka is set to face the formidable Cuban team, promising a challenging start to their Olympiad journey.
As the 45th Chess Olympiad 2024 unfolds, we extend our best wishes to the Sri Lankan team. Competing on the global stage against some of the best chess minds in the world, this is an invaluable opportunity for Sri Lankan chess to rise to new heights. May they bring their best strategies and make their mark in Budapest.Good luck to Team Sri Lanka and all the participants in the 45th Chess Olympiad.