Tech Mahindra Global Chess League Begins with Exciting Matches on Day One

London, October 4: One of the most highly anticipated matches of the second edition of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League took place on the opening day, featuring two young stars who were instrumental in India’s Chess Olympiad triumph.

The game between Arjun Erigaisi, representing Ganges Grandmasters, and R. Praggnanandhaa, playing for Alpine SG Pipers, ended in a draw. Despite this, Alpine SG Pipers secured an 11-6 victory in the match.

In other matches, American Gambits defeated Upgrade Mumba Masters with an 11-6 scoreline, while PBG Alaska Knights dominated reigning champions Triveni Continental Kings with a comprehensive 15-3 win. This resounding victory gave Alaska Knights an early lead in the tournament standings.

Notable victories by Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, and Nihal Sarin propelled Alaska Knights ahead of both the Pipers and Mumba Masters.

Alpine SG Pipers’ win was sealed by Richard Rapport and former Women’s World Champion Hou Yifan, as the other games ended in draws. Among those draws was the much-anticipated match between five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen and former World Champion Viswanathan Anand, who have previously faced each other for two world titles. Hou Yifan defeated Praggnanandhaa’s older sister, R. Vaishali, while Rapport secured victory against Parham Maghsoodloo. Wins with the black pieces earned the players four points each (as opposed to three points for wins with white), giving their team a crucial advantage.

The focus of the match between American Gambits and Upgrade Mumba Masters was the game between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Hikaru Nakamura, which ended in a draw.