Global Chess League 2024: Alaskan Knights consolidate top spot with narrow win over Alpine Pipers

Alaskan Knights have won their first five matches in Global Chess League 2024.

On day four, the Knights narrowly edged out the Alpine SG Pipers with a 9–7 score, despite their top player, Anish Giri, blundering a piece and losing to Magnus Carlsen in just 20 minutes. With 15 match points and 58 game points, the Alaskan Knights maintain a commanding lead, making the league increasingly feel like a one-horse race.

Defending champions, Triveni Continental Kings climbed to second place after defeating the upGrad Mumba Masters. Their team icon, Alireza Firouzja, continued his winning streak by defeating France’s top-rated player, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Though just three game points behind the leaders, Triveni has recorded three wins and two losses, earning them nine match points and 55 game points. Meanwhile, the upGrad Mumba Masters sit in fifth place with only three match points.

An epic encounter between Carlsen and Nakamura highlighted the final match of the day between the Alpine SG Pipers and the American Gambits. Both players traded winning positions in a time scramble, and the duel ultimately ended in a draw. The match came down to the youth board, where Daniel Darda defeated Jonas Bjerre, securing a narrow 9–7 victory for the Alpine SG Pipers, which placed them in third place with nine match points and 43 game points.

With one win and one loss in today’s matches, the American Gambits hold fourth place with six match points and 33 game points.

Also Read: Global Chess League 2024: Alaskan Knights records fourth consecutive win, extend unbeaten run

At the bottom of the standings, the Ganges Grandmasters continue to struggle, having lost their match today to the American Gambits. Former World Champion Vishy Anand fell to World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura after sacrificing a queen for a drawing fortress, only to lose on time.

Alpine Sg Pipers v American Gambits: Carlsen vs. Nakamura ends in dramatic draw as SG Pipers edge American Gambits 9-7

In the final match of the day, Alpine SG Pipers faced off against the American Gambits. Playing as White, the Pipers had won the tournament’s last coin toss. This match marked the midpoint of the event, with 15 more matches to follow.

In one of the most anticipated encounters of the League, Magnus Carlsen, playing White, took on Hikaru Nakamura. Carlsen quickly took the initiative, but Nakamura held firm with strong defensive play.

At one stage, Nakamura was on the verge of defeat, but under time pressure, Carlsen blundered, handing over the winning position. Both players made additional errors in the time scramble, and the game ended with Nakamura securing a draw through a perpetual check.

Shortly after, two more games also concluded in draws. However, victories by Hou Yifan (Sg Alpine) over Assaubayeva and Paehtz (American Gambits) over Lagno tipped the score to 7-6 in favor of the American Gambits. The final outcome hinged on the youth board, where SG Pipers’ Daniel Darda applied relentless pressure on Jonas Bjerre. In time trouble, Bjerre blundered a rook, sealing the victory for the Pipers with a final score of 9-7.

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