The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League’s Season 2 continues to deliver thrilling upsets, with the Upgrad Mumba Masters pulling off a stunning 10-9 victory against the PBG Alaskan Knights. This defeat marked the Alaskan Knights’ first loss in the tournament, ending their impressive run of seven consecutive wins.
The Mumba Masters’ triumph was spearheaded by Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, who delivered a commanding performance against Anish Giri on the Icon board. Vachier-Lagrave’s victory, fueled by his control of passed pawns on the king-side, gave the Mumba Masters a critical early advantage. However, the Mumba Masters faced challenges with losses by Vidit Gujrathi and Peter Svidler to Nodirbek Abdusattarov and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, respectively.
It was the young talent of Raunak Sadhwani who proved to be the Mumba Masters’ saving grace. Sadhwani secured a decisive win against Nihal Sarin, ensuring a much-needed match victory for his team. This win was particularly noteworthy for Sadhwani as it marked Nihal’s first loss in the tournament. “It feels great and I am glad I could help the team,” said Sadhwani after the match. “We had nothing to lose and wanted to play a good match. It worked.”
The Mumba Masters’ victory moved them to nine points from eight matches, while the Alaskan Knights, despite the loss, remain at the top of the table with 18 points from eight matches. The reigning champions, Triveni Continental Kings, also notched a victory, defeating Ganges Grandmasters 12-9.
In other matches, the Alpine SG Pipers defeated the American Gambits 11-6, with Magnus Carlsen drawing against Hikaru Nakamura. The Ganges Grandmasters continue to struggle, falling to the bottom of the table after a disappointing loss against the Continental Kings. The tournament continues to showcase the incredible talent and strategic brilliance of the world’s best chess players. With each match, the competition grows fiercer, making the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League an event to watch for chess enthusiasts worldwide.
