The Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest witnessed an unexpected act of sportsmanship when members of the Pakistani chess team posed with the Indian flag during a post-tournament photo session.
The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral, prompting a flurry of reactions across social media platforms.
The footage, shared widely on both sides of the India-Pakistan border, has ignited conversations about how chess—a game steeped in strategy—could serve as a symbol for fostering peaceful relations between historically divided nations.
“Chess, at its core, is about intellect and respect,” commented an observer. “This moment is a reminder that sports can transcend borders.”
This act comes amid a recent trend of cross-border camaraderie. During the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, Pakistani players were seen waving Chinese flags and wearing badges to show solidarity with China, despite China's narrow 1-0 loss to India in the final.
At the Chess Olympiad, Pakistani player Momin Fayzan excelled, earning the Candidate Master (CM) title with a commendable 6.5 out of 11 points in the open section.
Additionally, 11-year-old Aayat Asmi made headlines by securing the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title with 5 points in the women's category.
Meanwhile, India’s chess contingent emerged as the dominant force in the Olympiad.
The men’s team, led by D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa, triumphed with a near-perfect score of 21 out of 22 points, while the women’s team, featuring D Harika, Tania Sachdev, and R Vaishali, clinched gold after a thrilling final against Azerbaijan.
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