NEW DELHI: India will send a formidable 10-member chess contingent to the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou in a bid to showcase their chess prowess on the international stage. Led by double Asian Games gold medallist Koneru Humpy and bronze medallist Dronavalli Harika, the Indian team is determined to make their mark in the continental games, scheduled to commence on September 23.
The Indian Chess Federation (AICF) announced the official team roster during its General Body meeting held in Kanpur on Sunday. Chaired by AICF president Sanjay Kapoor, the meeting witnessed the unveiling of a powerhouse team comprising both experienced veterans and promising young talents.
In the individual categories, the men’s team will be represented by Grandmasters D Gukesh, Vidit Gujrathi, Arjun Erigaisi, P Harikrishna, and R Praggnanandhaa. Meanwhile, Koneru Humpy and Dronavalli Harika will lead the charge for India in the women’s section.
Joining Humpy and Harika in the women’s team event will be R Vaishali, Vantika Aggarwal, and Savitha Shri, collectively forming a strong and versatile squad. The selection process for the team was rigorous, taking into consideration the players’ recent performances and their participation in the challenging Global Chess League (GCL).

Notably, the Indian chess players showcased their skills and resilience in the GCL, where they faced off against some of the world’s top-notch chess players, including Magnus Carlsen, the five-time world champion from Norway.
Koneru Humpy, at the age of 36, will be the senior-most Indian chess player at the quadrennial Asian Games. She has expressed her determination to compete in Hangzhou, despite contemplating skipping the event earlier this year due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Humpy has an impressive track record, having clinched the women’s individual and mixed team gold medals at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha.
Dronavalli Harika, another Asian Games medallist, will bring her valuable experience to the team. She secured an individual bronze medal at the 2010 edition of the Asian Games in Guangzhou. However, chess was not included in the curriculum of the 2014 Incheon and 2018 Jakarta editions of the continental games, making the return of chess to the Asian Games after a gap of 13 years all the more significant.
As the Indian chess contingent prepares to embark on their Asian Games journey, they aim to continue the nation’s strong legacy in the sport. With a blend of seasoned champions and emerging talents, the Indian team looks forward to challenging their counterparts from across the continent and etching their names in chess history once again.
The team:
Men: D Gukesh, Vidit Gujrathi, Arjun Erigaisi, P Harikrishna and R Praggnanandhaa.
Women: Koneru Humpy, D. Harika, R Vaishali, Vantika Aggarwal and Savitha Shri.
(With inputs from PTI)