VIDIT GUJARATHI & ABHIJIT KUNTE AS PLAYER AND COACH IN INDIAN TEAM FOR ASIAN GAMES 2023

Pune, 20th September 2023: Grandmaster Vidit Gujarathi and Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte are a part of the Indian chess team participating at the upcoming Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, China.

Chess is making a comeback at the Asian Games after a long gap of 13 years. Last time Chess was included in 2010. India and China are strong contenders considering their contingent strength and a mix of senior and young talent.

Vidit is a part of the Indian men’s team. He will be participating in the men’s individual rapid and team rapid event. The Indian team is considered as a strong contender with young guns like R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi along with the experienced players like Vidit Gujarathi and Pentala Harikrishna. Vidit and Arjun will be playing both Individual and team events.

Abhijit Kunte is a part of the women’s team as a Coach. Previously he led the women’s team to a record Silver medal at FIDE World Team’s Championship. The women’s team will also be participating in the individual rapid and team rapid event. The women team boasts the strong likes of Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Savitha Shri B and Vantika Aggarwal. Humpy and Harika will be playing the Individual as well as team events.

Vidit Gujarathi, Indian Chess Grandmaster, said: “It feels great to be representing India at the Asian Games especially when Chess is making a comeback after 13 long years. The format looks interesting and consisting of both the Individual and team events. We had a good training camp in Kolkata and now eagerly looking forward to fly to Hangzhou. Expectations are high and we are focussed on winning medals for the country.

Abhijit Kunte, Indian Chess Grandmaster, said: “It is amazing to see Chess coming back to the Asian Games. All the players are pumped up and the morale is high. Preparations are in full swing and the aim is to win medals for India and make the country proud.”

Vidit Gujarathi is an Indian Chess player currently based out of Nashik, Maharashtra. Currently, he is employed at ONGC, supported by Lakshya Foundation and Bharat Forge, sponsored Persistent systems and Immortal Game.
Abhijit Kunte is employed with Indian Oil Corporation and has served as the Coach of the Indian women’s team on several occasions. He is also a proud recipient of Major Dhyan Chand Award ’21.