Global Chess League: Triveni secure second title in spectacular fashion

In two hard-fought, nerve-wracking games, Triveni stunned PBG with a 13-7 victory as Black in first match and followed it up with a 9-7 win as White in second. This victory earned Triveni championship and top prize of 500,000 US dollars.

Former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk emerged as hero of day. Her victory over Tan Zhongyi in decisive game of second match denied PBG a chance at tiebreaks. For her remarkable performance, she was named Player of Match.

"Amazing how chess can be so exciting," said Alireza Firouzja, Triveni’s Icon player. "I am very happy and delighted to be part of this amazing event and show."

Firouzja also commented on season’s innovation of no time increments, a rule that ded intensity to matches: “As a player, I am happy to have played without increment for first time, and I hope to see more of this.”
It was a tough day for PBG Alaskan Knights, who h been nearly unbeatable all season—until finals. For ir second-place finish, y took home 250,000 US dollars.

How day unfolded:

After nine days of play at Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, two of six teams reached finals: PBG Alaskan Knights and season one champions Triveni Continental Knights. arena at London’s Friends House was full. In true spirit of GCL mission to open game to a broer audience, spectators included young and old chess fans, even families with babies and toddlers, something not often seen at chess events. Also present were some of players from or teams who did not make it to finals – a friendly gesture, respectful of game and colleagues.

PBG h an amazing run this season, winning eight of ten matches and securing a spot in finals with a round to spare. For defending champions, Triveni, path to finals was a bit bumpy: y lost four matches and in final round y registered a last-minute victory against Alpine Sg Pipers led by Magnus Carlsen in a death match for remaining spot in finals.
he-to-he score between two gave PBG a heavy vantage on paper: y won both matches against Triveni with a dominating result – 15-3 (match one) and 12 – 8 (match two). Ahe of finals, captains of both teams said ir squs felt confident. But both needed to show that on board as re can only be one champion of Global Chess League.

PBG won coin toss but decided to start as Black

As per rules and GCL trition, re was a coin toss before rounds to determine which team would play as White. Despite fact that playing as White gives more initiative to team, it has been case throughout this league that teams who won coin toss often chose to play with black pieces, postponing use of first-move vantage for return match, just in case y need that extra edge in return-match. This is exactly case in finals: PBG won coin toss but opted to play first match as Black.

Just before rounds started teams and arbiters agreed on a small change in order of games starting: during event top two boards started first, n two minutes afterwards second two boards, and n anor two minutes afterwards games started on third set of boards. Now, order was reversed and players on top two boards started last, increasing chances that y would finish last, deciding match. While this provided greater excitement for audience, it also put greater pressure on top-players.

Match One: Triveni defeats PBG 9-7

first match kicked off with Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, making ceremonial first move in game between Alireza Firouzja and Anish Giri. As Mahindra was leaving hall, he gave Firouzja a tap on shoulder and a wave, possibly boosting Firouzja’s spirits. Wher it was Mahindra’s energy or sheer skill, Firouzja played aggressively, sacrificing an exchange but emerging a pawn up. Giri fought back, but Firouzja remained sharp despite being behind on clock and ultimately secured a victory. naturalized Frenchman was so absorbed in game that, moments after his win, he eagerly asked his coach when next match would begin.

With a draw between Rjabov and Mamedyarov on board three, Triveni led 4-1. Shortly after, two more draws followed: one between Sindarov and Sarin on prodigy board and anor between Gunina and Kashlinskaya. n came a crucial turning point – in battle between two former Women’s World Champions, Alexandra Kosteniuk defeated Tan Zhongyi. Refusing a draw earlier in game, Kosteniuk's bold decision paid off, sealing match for Triveni before final board h even finished.

Although Nodirbek Abdusattorov won his game against Wei Yi on prodigy board, it wasn’t enough to save PBG. Triveni claimed first match with a final score of 9-7.
As English Grandmaster and journalist Jon Speelman remarked in press room, day's opening match h shown “excellent fighting chess,” setting stage for an exciting remainder of finals.

Match Two: Wei Yi and Kosteniuk secure Triveni’s 13-7 victory

In rematch, pressure weighed heavily on PBG, who needed a win to stay in contention. Playing as White, y were compelled to take more aggressive approaches, a risky strategy that could backfire if y overextended.
Initially, things looked promising for PBG. computer evaluations showed slight vantages for White or balanced positions across board. But that was just beginning.

Triveni soon seized initiative, with Valentina Gunina gaining a dominant position as Black against Alina Kashlinskaya. White managed to escape temporarily, but Gunina n sacrificed a rook to launch a dangerous attack. As both players entered time trouble amidst intense tactical complications, outcome could have gone eir way. Kashlinskaya was first to crack under pressure, losing a piece. She attempted to counter with checks, but Gunina confidently secured win, earning Triveni four crucial points and pushing m closer to victory.

Sarin and Sindarov followed with anor draw.

On board three, Mamedyarov secured an extra pawn and a winning position against Triveni's Teimour Rjabov. Though Rjabov resisted, refusing to resign, he ultimately ran out of time. score now stood at 5-4 in favor of Triveni.
tension escalated on remaining boards. Under immense pressure and in severe time trouble, Triveni’s Alireza Firouzja me an incredible queen sacrifice to save his position against Anish Giri. With Firouzja down to just seconds on clock, Giri began to focus more on clock than board. This strategy backfired disastrously, and Giri ended up in a lost position. However, despite Firouzja being one of fastest players on planet, he didn’t have enough time to convert win and lost on time. With that, PBG took le 7-5.

n came a shocking turn on board two. Nodirbek Abdusattorov, in a better position, blundered in time trouble, misplaying a drawn endgame and n went furr – losing a drawn endgame. This handed le back to Triveni.
Everything now hinged on board four, where PBG's Tan Zhongyi needed to defeat Alexandra Kosteniuk to force a playoff. Tan h a significant vantage on clock and needed to keep up pressure, hoping Kosteniuk would crack under strain. But opposite happened—Tan me a critical blunder and ended up losing, sealing Triveni Continental Knights' 13-7 victory and ir claim to match.