Global Chess League 2025: Vishy Anand defeats World Champion D Gukesh to help Ganges Grandmasters continue winning run

UpGrad Mumba Masters are on top of the standings after three matches.

A last-gasp win on the Prodigy board helped Fyers American Gambits overturn a deficit and seal a dramatic victory against reigning champions Triveni Continental Kings on Matchday 3 of the Global Chess League 2025 (GCL), a joint initiative of Tech Mahindra and FIDE, on Tuesday.

The Gambits beat the Kings 10-8, following Ganges Grandmasters’ 12-3 win over PBG Alaskan Knights. Later, Alpine SG Pipers notched their first win with a nail-biting 9-7 triumph over upGrad Mumba Masters.

Ganges Grandmasters continued their strong run with a commanding victory over PBG Alaskan Knights, headlined by a generational icon clash between Viswanathan Anand and Gukesh D.

The tie opened evenly as Daniel Dardha and Raunak Sadhwani drew on the prodigy board, but momentum swung when Chess World Cup champion Javokhir Sindarov overcame Leinier Domínguez to hand Grandmasters an early edge.

Also Read: Global Chess League 2025: Full schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details

Grandmasters steadily tightened their grip as Polina Shuvalova converted under time pressure and Vincent Keymer held Arjun Erigaisi to a draw. On the icon board, Anand pressed confidently after opening with the King’s Pawn, navigating a sharp Sicilian defence to build a dominant queenside position and convert with authority.

Draws on the remaining boards sealed a comprehensive 12–3 win, giving the Grandmasters their second victory in three ties. Anand claimed the Player of the Match honours.

In the day’s second tie, Triveni Continental Kings and Fyers American Gambits produced a late twist in a contest that swung dramatically. The spotlight was firmly on the icon board, where Alireza Firouzja continued his electric start to the season, defeating Hikaru Nakamura for his third win in as many matches.

Elsewhere, Wei Yi and Vladislav Artemiev drew, as did Zhu Jiner and Bibisara Assaubayeva, while Alexandra Kosteniuk capitalised on a blunder by Teodora Injac to keep the Kings narrowly ahead.

The decisive moment came on board three, where Richard Rapport delivered a near-perfect performance to defeat Vidit Gujrathi in a complex, tactical battle.

With Triveni leading 8–6 heading into the final board, reigning World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin underlined his credentials by beating Marc’Andria Maurizzi, completing a dramatic turnaround and sealing a thrilling 10–8 victory for the Gambits. Rapport was named the Player of the Match.

In the day’s final tie, Alpine SG Pipers and upGrad Mumba Masters were locked in a tense battle that went down to the final board. Masters struck early as Maxime Vachier-Lagrave defeated Fabiano Caruana with Black, while draws followed on the Wesley So–Anish Giri, Pragg–Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, and Harika Dronavalli–Nino Batsiashvili boards.

Hou Yifan outplayed Koneru Humpy in a marquee clash of legends to keep the Pipers alive. With the tie hanging in the balance, prodigy Leon Luke Mendonca delivered the decisive moment, mating Bardiya Daneshvar in one move with seconds on the clock to snatch a dramatic win for Pipers. Mendonca took home the Player of the Match honours.

Action continues on Matchday 4 as Fyers American Gambits face Alpine SG Pipers, PBG Alaskan Knights take on upGrad Mumba Masters, and Triveni Continental Kings meet Ganges Grandmasters.

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