Ganges Grandmasters Keep Final Hopes Alive in Global Chess League

Ganges Grandmasters secured a significant 12-3 victory against Fyers American Gambits in their latest league match at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai, keeping their chances of reaching the final alive in Season 3 of the Global Chess League (GCL). The outcome now hinges on whether PBG Alaskan Knights can stop Alpine SG Pipers’ winning streak in the group stage’s final match. The Grandmasters and Pipers are currently tied at 15 points, with the Pipers having a game in hand. Pipers can clinch the second spot by winning or drawing against the Alaskan Knights, or even by scoring six points in a loss to surpass the Grandmasters based on a better game score. The Alaskan Knights also have a shot at the second spot if they win all six games with black pieces. Despite the uncertainty, the Grandmasters performed admirably to maintain their chances of making it to the final. In a three-way battle for the second spot, Pipers, Grandmasters, and Mumba Masters were vying for advancement. The Grandmasters faced off against American Gambits, with Viswanathan Anand drawing with Hikaru Nakamura on the icon board. Vincent Keymer’s victory over Vladislav Artemiev and Raunak Sadhwani’s win against Volodar Murzin bolstered the team’s position. Stavroula Tsolakidou’s win over Teodora Injac sealed the deal, adding pressure to the other teams. Meanwhile, Mumba Masters fell short against table-toppers Triveni Continental Kings, losing 10-9 and missing out on the race for the second spot. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Bardiya Daneshvar secured crucial wins for Mumba Masters, but losses on the icon and second boards, as well as a defeat by Koneru Humpy, dashed their hopes of advancement.