The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, far from the hushed silence of traditional tournaments, pulsated with the energy of a rock concert. The crowd at Friends Hall roared as chess giants Magnus Carlsen and Anish Giri took their seats for their Icon board clash, a battle between the Alpine SG Pipers and PBG Alaska Knights. The anticipation was palpable, but the game ended with a dramatic anticlimax as Giri made a crucial blunder, gifting Carlsen a win in a mere 22 moves.
However, Giri’s teammates rose to the occasion. Nodirbek Abdusattorov triumphed over R. Praggnanandhaa, and Tan Zhongyi emerged victorious against Hou Yifan in a clash of former World champions.
The match between Nihal Sarin and Daniel Dardha generated both drama and controversy. Despite a winning position, Sarin found himself short on time and claimed a draw, which was allowed under the rules. This victory propelled the Alaska Knights to a 9-7 win, marking their fifth consecutive victory. The SG Pipers, however, filed an appeal against the draw, but the decision was pending at the time of this report.
The Alaska Knights maintained their sole leadership in the league, boasting 15 match points, six more than the Triveni Continental Kings. The Kings secured a dominant 12-3 victory over the Upgrad Mumba Masters, spearheaded by Firouzja Alireza’s win against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Wei Yi and Alexandra Kosteniuk also contributed victories, defeating Vidit Gujrathi and D. Harika, respectively.
The league continues to deliver thrilling matches and nail-biting finishes, with the chess stars showcasing their skills and strategic prowess. The competition is fierce, and the battle for the championship title promises to be a captivating spectacle.
