Global Chess League: Ganges Grandmasters defeat Mumba Masters to avoid last-place finish

This was final day of Tech Mahindra Global Chess League before two teams vanced to finals. day opened with a faceoff between bottom two teams in league—Mumba Masters and Ganges Grandmasters. Despite fielding exceptionally strong squs, both teams struggled this season. Last season’s runners-up Mumba scored just three victories in nine matches, while Ganges secured only two.

Although neir team did well on scoreboard, ir matches were consistently exciting, and this one was no exception. Mumba, playing with white pieces, h Maxime Vachier-Lagrave take on former World Champion Vishy Anand on icon board. In a tense and complicated game that lasted 71 moves, players battled until only kings remained, agreeing to a draw.
A similar result unfolded on superstar board. Mumba’s Arjun Erigaisi played aggressively against Vidit Gujrathi, who once again found himself in time trouble, as he h throughout tournament. Despite pressure, Erigaisi couldn’t break through, and game ended in anor draw.

Two more draws followed—between Dronavalli Harika and Nurgyul Salimova, and on prodigy board between Raunak Shwani and Volodar Murzin—leaving score level.
However, Ganges Grandmasters seized ir chance. Vaishali Rameshbabu secured her first victory of tournament, defeating Koneru Humpy, while Parham Maghsoodloo triumphed over Peter Svidler, both victories coming in time trouble. se key wins pushed final score to 12-4 in Ganges’ favor.

This victory was a consolation for Ganges, allowing m to avoid finishing last. For upGr Mumba Masters, who h high hopes after ir runner-up finish last season, it was a disappointing end to tournament.