Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, day nine: Defending champions Triveni reach finals after dramatic 9-7 victory over Sg Pipers
London: The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League saw a thrilling conclusion to its regular season on Friday, with Triveni Continental Kings delivering a dramatic 9-7 victory over Alpine Sg Pipers to secure a spot in the finals. Triveni’s comeback dashed the Pipers’ hopes of advancing, setting the stage for a final showdown between Triveni and the dominant PBG Alaskan Knights.
The decisive clash drew considerable attention, highlighted by the ceremonial first move from FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich on the icon board. This high-stakes match saw the Pipers, with 18 match points and 81 game points, face off against Triveni, who trailed with 15 match points but boasted 90 game points. A win for Triveni was necessary to leapfrog the Pipers into the finals.
The encounter between Magnus Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja on the icon board was a key highlight. Carlsen, representing the Pipers, delivered a confident win, giving his team a temporary lead. Meanwhile, Sg Pipers also looked strong on the top boards, with Hou Yifan gaining an advantage against Alexandra Kosteniuk and Teimour Radjabov holding Richard Rapport to a draw. At this point, it seemed the Pipers were on course for victory.
However, in a stunning reversal, Triveni’s Valentina Gunina triumphed over Kateryna Lagno, shifting the match’s momentum. Despite Carlsen’s win and a promising position for Praggnanandhaa against Wei Yi, the latter managed to draw after Praggnanandhaa blundered a winning advantage. Hou Yifan also misplayed her strong position, and the game ended in another draw. With the score at 7-6 in favor of the Pipers, all eyes turned to the prodigy board, where Triveni’s Javokhir Sindarov faced Daniel Dardha.
In the critical final game, Sindarov, under immense time pressure, maintained his composure to secure a decisive victory, sealing Triveni’s 9-7 win and propelling them into the finals. The victory marked a remarkable comeback, with Triveni now poised to defend their season one title against the PBG Alaskan Knights.
Other Matches of the Day: Ganges Avoid Last Place, PBG End Strong
In the day’s opening match, the Ganges Grandmasters faced off against upGrad Mumba Masters, with both teams struggling throughout the season. Ganges, led by former World Champion Vishy Anand, secured a commanding 12-4 victory, avoiding a last-place finish. Despite a tense, 71-move draw between Anand and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave on the icon board, key wins from Vaishali Rameshbabu and Parham Maghsoodloo helped Ganges secure their win.
Meanwhile, PBG Alaskan Knights, already through to the finals, capped off their dominant season with a 14-5 win against the American Gambits. Anish Giri and Hikaru Nakamura drew on the top board, but PBG’s strength on the lower boards—featuring comeback victories from Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Bibisara Assaubayeva—cemented their dominance. With eight wins in ten matches, PBG head into the finals as favorites.
As the league’s regular season concludes, all eyes now turn to Saturday’s final showdown, where Triveni Continental Kings will attempt to defend their title against the in-form PBG Alaskan Knights in a round-robin final.