The 24th Chess Olympiad is scheduled to begin on Wednesday in the Hungarian capital of Budapest. However, Viswanathan Anand, the five-time world champion has yet again decided to not participate in the most renowned chess event. The Indian chess legend didn't make an appearance in the 23rd edition as well. 

Instead, the current World No. 11, is set to make a competitive appearance in London at the Tech-Mahnindra Global Chess League as a part of the Ganges Grandmasters team.

Anand is trying to clinch a medal in the GCL event. The most renowned players all around the world like Magnus Carlsen will also participate in this event scheduled for the upcoming month. 

Anand stated that he will also compete in the  Leon Masters in Spain scheduled for 2025. After his 10th win in this event. 

“I will play a few events next year. I don’t know yet what they are, I hope to play in Spain again. Semi-retired sort of means that I am slowly transitioning out instead of quitting one day, I am pacing myself” - said the chess icon. 

It is safe to say that, the Indian team will face high competition in the 24th Chess Olympiad. With the World No. 4 Arjun Erigaise's continuous uprising graph waiting to compete with big breaks like Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa. 

The second-seeded Indian team consists of promising players like Vidit Gujrathi, R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaise, and P Harikrishna. In the last edition, India won bronze stance needless to say they are aiming for gold in 24th Chess Olympiad.