PBG Alaskan Knights Suffer First Defeat in Global Chess League as Triveni Continental Kings Surge to Second

London, UK – The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League resumed in thrilling fashion today, as three intense matches unfolded at Friends House in London, marking the start of the second half of the tournament. The day’s results shook up the league standings, with reigning champions Triveni Continental Kings climbing to second place after a dramatic win, while PBG Alaskan Knights suffered their first defeat of the season.

Triveni Continental Kings Continue Dominance, Firouzja Unstoppable

Defending champions Triveni Continental Kings began the day by defeating the upGrad Mumba Masters 10-8, thanks to the brilliance of their star player, Alireza Firouzja. Firouzja, fresh off his fifth consecutive victory, extended his undefeated streak in the league, overpowering Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in a tactical encounter. Despite a valiant effort by Mumba, including a strong performance from Vidit Gujrathi, Firouzja’s heroics, alongside wins from Alexandra Kosteniuk and Javokhir Sindarov, ensured a narrow victory for Triveni.

With the win, Triveni now share equal game points with league leaders PBG Alaskan Knights, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the title.

PBG Alaskan Knights Fall to Alpine Sg Pipers in First Defeat

In a major upset, PBG Alaskan Knights tasted defeat for the first time this season, losing 9-7 to Alpine Sg Pipers. The match saw Magnus Carlsen and Anish Giri on the superstar boards, but it was the women’s boards that proved decisive for the Pipers. Kateryna Lagno and Hou Yifan both secured critical wins, tipping the scales in favor of Alpine Sg Pipers.

Despite the loss, PBG remain at the top of the standings, but the defeat highlights the competitiveness of the league as the tournament heads into the crucial second phase.

Ganges Grandmasters Rise After Convincing Victory Over American Gambits

Ganges Grandmasters bounced back from their early struggles in the league, securing a much-needed 10-4 win over American Gambits. Vishy Anand’s team relied on key victories from Nurgyul Salimova and Volodar Murzin to propel them up the standings. This win lifts Ganges to fourth place, while the American Gambits slip to fifth.

With the second half of the tournament now underway, the battle for the top positions is heating up, as teams prepare for their return matches with the stakes higher than ever.

Standings Update:

1. PBG Alaskan Knights
2. Triveni Continental Kings
3. Alpine Sg Pipers
4. Ganges Grandmasters
5. American Gambits
6. upGrad Mumba Masters

As the league progresses, fans can expect more thrilling encounters as the teams vie for supremacy in the world’s most prestigious chess league.