Directions: In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.

A nation ___(1)___ with chess talent is now ready to parade it on a platform that does not get any bigger. The 44th Chess Olympiad, with participants from 187 nations, opens with a gala ceremony at Chennai’s Nehru Stadium on Thursday and the 11-round on-board action ___(2)___ the following day at Mamallapuram. With the usual medal-winning nations — Russia and China — not in the mix, some first-timers could ___(3)___ the podium. The greatest of current players, Magnus Carlsen, is looking to ___(4)___ Norway to its first medal. There will be other ___(5)___ performers in both sections of the biennial competition, but the discerning would focus on how India performs at home. Being the host, India could ___(6)___ two teams in each section. As there were an odd number of entries, India added a third team to make it even. As a result, 30 players, including 15 women, will ___(7)___ India in the premier world team championship. Though Viswanathan Anand is the mentor for these teams, the Indian men are strong enough to be ___(8)___ second in the Open section. The Indian women, looking for their first medal, are seeded first. Talented teens D. Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin, and R. Praggnanandhaa ___(9)___ their stripes to be on the biggest stage. It remains to be seen whether they play according to their growing ___(10)___.