Maxime Vachier-Lagrave-led upGrad Mumba Masters continued their strong start to the Global Chess League (GCL) Season 3, registering a second consecutive victory to move to the top of the standings on Monday.
The Masters edged past Fyers American Gambits 9–7 in a closely fought encounter, before Ganges Grandmasters produced a dramatic turnaround to defeat Alpine SG Pipers 13–7 with the Black pieces, securing their first win of the season.
Matchday 2 action unfolded at Mumbai’s iconic Royal Opera House, with the “hosts” upGrad Mumba Masters once again displaying depth and composure across the boards. Facing a strong Gambits lineup, the Masters were initially put under pressure but responded with timely resilience. Wesley So set the tone by holding Vladislav Artemiev to a solid draw, before Koneru Humpy mounted an impressive comeback from a difficult position to also split the point, keeping the scores locked at 2–2.
The momentum swung decisively in the Masters’ favour on board three, where Shakhriyar Mamedyarov delivered a masterclass against Richard Rapport. Demonstrating trademark patience and precision, Mamedyarov gradually built a dominant position, eventually converting it to give Mumba a crucial 5–2 lead. The Azeri grandmaster’s victory proved to be the defining moment of the tie.
The Masters then tightened their grip when young Iranian talent Bardiya Daneshvar stunned reigning World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin, sealing the result in Mumba’s favour. Although the Gambits attempted a late fightback—Teodora Injac holding Harika Dronavalli to a draw and Hikaru Nakamura producing a composed Black victory over Vachier-Lagrave using the Petrov Defence the earlier damage proved too much to overturn. Mumba Masters closed out the tie with a 9–7 win to remain unbeaten after two rounds.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
Mamedyarov was deservedly named Player of the Match. “It was an amazing game, with sacrifices. A very good win for the team,” he said. “Winning even one match feels great, so to win two in a row makes it very special.”
The second tie of the day delivered high drama as Ganges Grandmasters and Alpine SG Pipers, both searching for their first win, locked horns. The marquee icon clash between Fabiano Caruana and Viswanathan Anand set the early tone. Caruana rose to the occasion, pressing relentlessly to secure a vital win and give the Pipers a 3–0 advantage.
Elsewhere, Anish Giri was held to a hard-fought draw by Vincent Keymer despite sustained pressure from the Dutchman. Nino Batsiashvili then extended the Pipers’ lead by defeating Stavroula Tsolakidou, registering her second win of the season and seemingly putting Alpine firmly in control.
However, the tie turned dramatically within a short span as the Grandmasters launched a stunning counterattack. Raunak Sadhwani, Javokhir Sindarov and Polina Shuvalova all delivered crucial victories in quick succession, completely shifting the balance of the match. Shuvalova capped the remarkable comeback in emphatic fashion, using her rooks with precision to checkmate Hou Yifan and complete a memorable turnaround.
Read Articles Without Ads On Your IndiaSportsHub App. Download Now And Stay Updated
From trailing early, the Grandmasters surged ahead to claim a 13–7 victory with the Black pieces, marking their first win of GCL Season 3 and one of the standout comebacks of the campaign so far. Sadhwani, who had bounced back strongly after a blunder on Matchday 1, was named Player of the Match. “I was confident today,” he said. “I played faster, put pressure on the board and the clock. I’m very happy the team won that’s what matters in the end.”
In the day’s final tie, PBG Alaskan Knights took on defending champions Triveni Continental Kings, rounding off another action-packed evening at the Royal Opera House.
Action continues on Matchday 3 with Ganges Grandmasters facing PBG Alaskan Knights, Triveni Continental Kings taking on Fyers American Gambits, and table-toppers upGrad Mumba Masters set to meet Alpine SG Pipers.
About the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League
The Global Chess League is the world’s first official franchise-based chess league, jointly organised by Tech Mahindra and FIDE. Featuring a unique mixed-gender team format and rapid time controls, the league brings together the world’s leading chess players in an innovative, fan-centric competition.
