Defending champions Triveni Continental Kings produced a dramatic late turnaround to edge past Fyers American Gambits 8–7 on Matchday 7 of the Global Chess League (GCL), extending their lead at the top of the standings and moving a step closer to the final.
A last-gasp victory by Marc’andria Maurizzi over world rapid champion Volodar Murzin on the prodigy board proved decisive, turning what looked like a damaging defeat into a match-winning moment for the table-toppers.
The narrow win lifted the Continental Kings to 18 match points, opening up a six-point gap at the summit and giving them one foot in the final. In contrast, a dramatic day of results reshaped the battle for the remaining top-two spot, with upGrad Mumba Masters slipping to second place on 12 points and Ganges Grandmasters climbing into third, also on 12.
At one stage, however, the day appeared to be tilting firmly in favour of the American Gambits. Earlier in the afternoon, they had delivered a stunning 16–1 demolition of second-placed upGrad Mumba Masters, blowing the title race wide open and injecting fresh momentum into their own campaign. Carrying that confidence into their clash with the Continental Kings, the Gambits surged into a commanding position.
The turning point came on the women’s superstar board, where Theodora Injac defeated Alexandra Kosteniuk to give the Gambits a 7–4 lead. With the Continental Kings staring at defeat, the pressure fell squarely on young French prodigy Marc’andria Maurizzi. Tasked with playing with the black pieces against Murzin, one of the most formidable young talents in world chess, Maurizzi needed nothing less than a win to secure the four game points required to swing the tie.
Maurizzi responded with remarkable composure. Navigating a complex middlegame and showing maturity beyond his years, he gradually wrested control before converting his advantage in the endgame to seal the win. The victory not only clinched the match for the Continental Kings but also earned Maurizzi the Player of the Match award, underlining his growing importance to the defending champions’ title defence.
Earlier in the day, the American Gambits had produced one of the most dominant performances of the season against upGrad Mumba Masters. After actor and fitness enthusiast Milind Soman made the ceremonial first move on the icon board, the Gambits wasted little time in asserting their authority. Vladislav Artemiev set the tone with a convincing win over Wesley So, before Hikaru Nakamura outplayed Maxime Vachier-Lagrave on the icon board in a marathon 55-move encounter.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Richard Rapport, who would go on to be named Player of the Match, then put the result beyond doubt with a clinical win over Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. The Masters were left reeling, with Bardiya Daneshwar’s draw against Volodar Murzin the only point salvaged on a bruising afternoon. The 16–1 defeat marked a significant setback for the Mumbai side, who had been well placed to seal a final berth heading into the matchday.
Mumba Masters’ stumble opened the door for the chasing pack, and Ganges Grandmasters seized the opportunity with a hard-fought 10–9 victory over Alpine SG Pipers. The win lifted the Grandmasters to 12 points and briefly put them within striking distance of second place.
Later in the day, the Grandmasters had a chance to strengthen their position further when they faced bottom-placed PBG Alaskan Knights. However, the Knights produced a spirited response to keep their campaign alive. Sara Khadem’s win over Stavroula Tsolakidou on the women’s board provided a crucial boost, before Arjun Erigaisi, named Player of the Match, delivered a commanding performance to defeat Vincent Keymer with the white pieces, securing six vital points for his team.
On the icon board, world champion D Gukesh pressed hard against Viswanathan Anand and held a clear advantage deep into a rook-and-pawn endgame. Anand’s defensive resilience, however, ensured a draw, which ultimately proved sufficient to seal a narrow win for the Alaskan Knights and deny the Grandmasters a move up the table.
As the league phase enters its decisive stretch, the Continental Kings have established themselves as clear front-runners, combining experience with clutch performances under pressure. Behind them, the race for the remaining final spot remains wide open, with Mumba Masters and Ganges Grandmasters locked on points and several teams still capable of influencing the outcome.
Matchday 7, packed with swings in momentum and late drama, underlined once again why the Global Chess League continues to deliver compelling, high-stakes chess.
