Alpine SG Pipers booked their place in the Global Chess League (GCL) final in dramatic fashion on the final day of league action, setting up a marquee clash against defending champions and table toppers Triveni Continental Kings.
Despite going down 6–11 to PBG Alaskan Knights in their last league match, the Pipers progressed on superior game points, edging out Ganges Grandmasters in a tense three-way race for the second finals berth.
The decisive moment came on the prodigy board, where Leon Luke Mendonca’s gritty draw against Daniel Darda proved more valuable than a win elsewhere. With Alpine SG Pipers finishing on 84 game points just one more than Ganges Grandmasters’ 83 that single half-point ensured their passage into the final of the Tech Mahindra–FIDE joint initiative.
Heading into the final round of league matches, the qualification scenario was finely poised. Pipers and Grandmasters were locked on 15 match points, while upGrad Mumba Masters were also in contention. Alpine SG Pipers knew that either a win against Alaskan Knights or a minimum of six game points would guarantee qualification on game-point differential. Alaskan Knights, meanwhile, needed a win themselves to secure a place in the third-place playoff.
Alaskan Knights rose to the occasion with a commanding performance. World champion D Gukesh capitalised on a rare error by Fabiano Caruana on the icon board, while Arjun Erigaisi delivered a high-quality victory over Anish Giri with the black pieces. Those two wins alone yielded eight crucial game points and swung the momentum decisively in the Knights’ favour.
For the Pipers, there were positives early in the match. Three-time women’s world champion Hou Yifan continued her flawless run, registering her third win in as many games with a clinical 20-move victory over Kateryna Lagno. At that stage, Alpine SG Pipers appeared well on course to secure their final spot without anxiety.
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However, the Indian stars in the Alaskan Knights lineup had other ideas. With R Praggnanandhaa and Nino Batsiashvili holding steady draws on their respective boards, all eyes turned to the prodigy board. Mendonca, facing the highly-rated Daniel Darda, was under pressure as his opponent held a slight advantage deep into the middlegame. Displaying composure beyond his years, Mendonca defended accurately, shut down any winning chances and signed the peace pact after 42 moves, triggering celebrations in the Pipers’ camp.
Earlier in the day, Ganges Grandmasters had done everything within their control to keep their finals hopes alive, hammering Fyers American Gambits 12–3 in a one-sided contest. At the start of play, Grandmasters were the first of the contenders to take to the boards, knowing that a big win could tilt the balance in their favour.
On the icon board, Viswanathan Anand played out a solid draw with Hikaru Nakamura, neutralising the American star’s attacking intent. Vincent Keymer then provided the breakthrough on the second board, defeating Vladislav Artemiev in 39 moves. Rising Indian talent Raunak Sadhwani followed it up with an impressive win over World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin, earning the Player of the Match honours for his composed 42-move effort.
Stavroula Tsolakidou added further gloss to the scoreline by defeating Teodora Injac, completing a dominant tally for the Grandmasters. Despite the emphatic victory, their fate ultimately rested on results elsewhere. When Alpine SG Pipers scraped through on game points, the Grandmasters were left to settle for a third-place playoff clash against Alaskan Knights.
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In the final match of the league stage, upGrad Mumba Masters faced a stern test against table toppers Triveni Continental Kings, playing with the black pieces. The Masters fought valiantly, with Shakhriyar Mamedyarov outplaying Vidit Gujrathi and Bardiya Daneshvar defeating Marc’Andria Maurizzi to earn eight valuable game points.
However, Triveni Continental Kings once again showcased their depth and balance. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave fell to Alireza Firouzja on the icon board, Wesley So was outplayed by Wei Yi on the second board, and Koneru Humpy was defeated by Zhu Jiner. Those results tilted the contest 10–9 in favour of the Kings, underlining why they finished atop the league standings.
The stage is now set for a compelling finale. Alpine SG Pipers, who have shown resilience under pressure, will take on a formidable Triveni Continental Kings side brimming with confidence and championship pedigree. Meanwhile, Ganges Grandmasters and PBG Alaskan Knights will lock horns in the third-place playoff, with pride and momentum at stake.
With high-quality chess and razor-thin margins defining this season, the GCL promises a fitting climax to an enthralling league phase.
