Alpine SG Pipers Clinch Global Chess League Title
Alpine SG Pipers Crowned Champions
In a stunning upset, Alpine SG Pipers defeated the two-time champions, Triveni Continental Kings, to win the third edition of the Global Chess League (GCL), a collaborative effort by Tech Mahindra and FIDE, on Tuesday.
The Pipers secured their spot in the finals by narrowly edging out Ganges Grandmasters, winning by just one game point. In the championship match, they showcased their dominance, winning the first rapid match 4-2 with black pieces, followed by a 4.5-1.5 victory with white pieces. PBG Alaskan Knights claimed third place after overcoming Ganges Grandmasters in a tie-break.
Decisive Final Performance
The final day of the Global Chess League was filled with excitement, living up to the pre-match hype. Although Triveni Continental Kings were favored to win, the Pipers, who had gained momentum in the latter half of the league, capitalized on their form. Nino Batsiashvili and Leon Luke Mendonca, key players for the Pipers, delivered crucial victories in their matches. Nino triumphed over Alexandra Kosteniuk in a bishop-knight endgame, while Mendonca forced Marc'Andria Maurizzi to resign after 52 moves. Although Alireza Firouzja of the Continental Kings defeated Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri's win against Wei Yi ensured the Pipers took the first match 4-2.
Facing an uphill battle, the Continental Kings needed to score four points with black pieces to remain competitive. R Praggnanandhaa gave the Pipers an early lead by defeating Vidit Gujrathi and later secured another win against Wei Yi, sealing the match. Giri, who was named Player of the Match for his two victories, expressed his satisfaction, stating, "Yesterday I had mixed feelings because I had a terrible match, but the team reached the final. But today there is no mixed feeling." On the icon board, Caruana managed to score a point against Alireza, who ran out of time. Firouzja, who had previously defeated all his opponents in the first five matches, was awarded the Male Player of the Tournament, while Hou Yifan played a pivotal role in helping the Pipers reach the final with three wins in three matches. Praggnanandhaa reflected on the victory, saying, "It feels great. The last two times, we were quite close to making the final. This time, we barely made it. But in the final, everyone showed up with their best game, and it is a great feeling."
PBG Alaskan Knights Secure Third Place
In earlier matches, world champion D Gukesh finally managed to defeat the legendary Viswanathan Anand when it mattered most, helping PBG Alaskan Knights secure third place. The playoff was intense, with Ganges Grandmasters initially taking a 4-2 lead in the first rapid match with white pieces. However, the Alaskan Knights rallied back to force a blitz tie-break.
Anand had the upper hand over Gukesh after winning the first game of the playoff and drawing the second. Meanwhile, Gukesh's teammate Arjun Erigaisi dominated Vicent Keymer on the second board, ensuring the match remained competitive. The Alaskan Knights capitalized on their momentum, winning the first blitz tie-break 3.5-2.5, with Arjun, Kateryna Lagno, and Sara Khadem each scoring a full point. Under pressure, the Ganges Grandmasters went all out in the second tie-break with black pieces, giving the Alaskan Knights opportunities to capitalize.
As the matches progressed, the Alaskan Knights led 3-2, with the outcome hinging on the game between Anand and Gukesh. Ultimately, Gukesh triumphed, exploiting minor mistakes by Anand to win in 49 moves and secure the third-place trophy for his team.