By Deepak Sharma (Indian Correspondent)
E-mail: spacewalker008@gmail.com
London (12-10-2024)– Season one champions, the Triveni Continental Knights, triumphed over the PBG Alaskan Knights in both final matches to clinch their second title in the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League (GCL).
In two hard-fought and nerve-wracking games, Triveni secured a commanding 13-7 victory. They first overcame PBG with a 9-7 win as Black in the opening match, followed by a decisive 13-7 triumph as White in the rematch. This remarkable performance earned Triveni the championship title and the top prize of $500,000 USD.
Former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk emerged as the hero of the day. Her crucial victory over Tan Zhongyi in the second match’s decisive game prevented PBG from forcing a tiebreaker. For her outstanding performance, Kosteniuk was named Player of the Match.
“Amazing how chess can be so exciting,” remarked Alireza Firouzja, Triveni’s Icon player. “I am very happy and delighted to be part of this amazing event and show.” Firouzja also praised the season’s innovation of eliminating time increments, adding intensity to the matches. “As a player, I am happy to have played without increment for the first time, and I hope to see more of this.”
PBG Alaskan Knights Finish Strong Despite Second-Place Finish
It was a challenging day for the PBG Alaskan Knights, who had been nearly unbeatable throughout the season until the finals. Securing second place, they took home $250,000 USD.
How the Day Unfolded
After nine days of intense competition, two of the six teams reached the finals: PBG Alaskan Knights and Triveni Continental Knights. The finals were held at London’s Friends House, drawing a diverse crowd of chess enthusiasts, including families with young children—a rare sight at chess events. Players from the other teams who did not make the finals also attended, fostering a friendly and respectful atmosphere.
PBG had an impressive season, winning eight of their ten matches and securing their place in the finals with a round to spare. In contrast, Triveni faced a more challenging path, losing four matches before clinching their spot with a last-minute victory against Alpine Sg Pipers, led by Magnus Carlsen, in a high-stakes death match.
Despite PBG’s strong head-to-head record against Triveni—winning both previous encounters 15-3 and 12-8—the finals proved to be a different story. Both team captains entered the finals confident, knowing only one could emerge as the Global Chess League champion.
Match One: Triveni Defeats PBG 9-7
The first match commenced with Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, making the ceremonial first move in the game between Alireza Firouzja and Anish Giri. Mahindra’s encouraging gesture—a tap on the shoulder and a wave—seemed to boost Firouzja’s spirits. Playing aggressively, Firouzja sacrificed an exchange but maintained a pawn advantage. Despite Giri’s resilient defense, Firouzja’s sharp play and time management led to his victory, setting the tone for the match.
With a draw between Teimour Radjabov and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov on board three, Triveni led 4-1. Subsequent games between Sindarov and Sarin, as well as Gunina and Kashlinskaya, also ended in draws, further extending Triveni’s lead. The turning point came when Alexandra Kosteniuk defeated Tan Zhongyi, refusing to settle for a draw and securing the match for Triveni before the final board concluded.
Although Nodirbek Abdusattorov won his game against Wei Yi on the prodigy board, it wasn’t enough to overcome Triveni’s lead. The first match concluded with Triveni triumphing 9-7.
English Grandmaster and journalist Jon Speelman praised the day’s opening match, stating it showcased “excellent fighting chess,” setting the stage for an exciting finals.
Match Two: Triveni Secures 13-7 Victory Over PBG
In the rematch, PBG faced immense pressure to win and stay in contention. Playing as White, they adopted a more aggressive strategy, risking overextension in their quest for victory.
Initially, PBG appeared strong, with computer evaluations indicating slight advantages for White or balanced positions across the boards. However, Triveni swiftly turned the tables. Valentina Gunina, playing as Black against Alina Kashlinskaya, gained a dominant position and sacrificed a rook to initiate a fierce attack. As both players descended into time trouble amid complex tactical maneuvers, Kashlinskaya was the first to falter, losing a piece. Despite her attempts to counter with checks, Gunina maintained composure and secured the win, earning Triveni four crucial points.
The subsequent game between Sarin and Sindarov ended in a draw, keeping the score at 5-4 in favor of Triveni. On board three, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of PBG gained an extra pawn and advanced towards a winning position against Teimour Radjabov. Radjabov resisted valiantly but ultimately ran out of time, narrowing the score to 5-4 with Triveni still leading.
Tensions peaked on the remaining boards. Alireza Firouzja of Triveni made a stunning queen sacrifice against Anish Giri under severe time pressure. Giri focused on Firouzja’s dwindling time, but this tactic backfired as he blundered into a losing position. Despite Firouzja’s rapid play, he couldn’t convert the advantage in time, allowing PBG to take the lead 7-5.
The drama continued when Nodirbek Abdusattorov of PBG, in a favorable position, succumbed to time pressure and blundered, turning a drawn endgame into a loss. This critical mistake handed the lead back to Triveni.
The final outcome rested on board four, where PBG’s Tan Zhongyi needed to defeat Alexandra Kosteniuk to force a playoff. Despite having a significant time advantage, Tan made a critical blunder under pressure, allowing Kosteniuk to secure the win. This decisive loss sealed Triveni Continental Knights’ 13-7 victory, crowning them as the champions of the Global Chess League finals.
About Tech Mahindra Global Chess League
The Global Chess League is the world’s first and largest official franchise chess league, featuring players from around the globe competing in a unique joint team format. A collaboration between Tech Mahindra, part of the Mahindra Group, and FIDE, the league showcases mixed-gender teams with male and female chess champions competing side by side in the popular rapid format. This innovative approach distinguishes the GCL as a unique multiplayer team event in professional sports.
Additionally, the league is a pioneering live televised chess event, offering fans an engaging and interactive viewing experience. Leveraging next-generation technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, Tech Mahindra and FIDE aim to promote chess through interactive, technology-enabled platforms, bringing the game closer to a broader and more diverse audience.