| Ganges Grandmasters | 10-9 | Alpine SG Pipers |
|---|---|---|
| GM Anand, Viswanathan | 1-1 | GM Caruana, Fabiano |
| GM Keymer, Vincent | 3-0 | GM Giri, Anish |
| GM Sindarov, Javokhir | 3-0 | GM Praggnanandhaa R |
| GM Shuvalova, Polina | 0-4 | GM Hou, Yifan |
| GM Tsolakidou, Stavroula | 3-0 | GM Batsiashvili, Nino |
| GM Sadhwani, Raunak | 0-4 | GM Mendonca, Leon Luke |
The Ganges Grandmasters survived a nerve-wracking encounter to edge past the Alpine SG Pipers 10-9 in Match 21 at the Royal Opera House. In a thriller that went down to the wire, the Grandmasters held on despite the Pipers mounting a fierce comeback attempt across multiple boards.
Anand Holds the Line
The icon board set the tone for the evening’s drama. Viswanathan Anand faced Fabiano Caruana in a sharp tactical battle that exploded into complexity early. After trading blows in a wild opening where both sides sacrificed material and created dangerous threats, neither player could find the breakthrough. The game ended in a hard-fought draw after 39 moves, ensuring both teams split the crucial opening points.
Keymer’s Clinical Strike
Board two delivered the Grandmasters’ first decisive blow. Vincent Keymer dismantled Anish Giri with ruthless efficiency, building pressure steadily before launching a devastating attack. As Giri’s position collapsed under the weight of White’s perfectly coordinated pieces, Keymer’s advancing passed pawns became unstoppable. The resignation on move 39 gave the Grandmasters a crucial advantage.
Sindarov Seals Victory
Javokhir Sindarov provided the killer punch on board three, overpowering Praggnanandhaa in a brilliant attacking performance. After sacrificing his rook for a ferocious assault on Black’s exposed king, Sindarov’s pieces swarmed forward with lethal precision. The game ended spectacularly on move 59 when White’s passed pawns crashed through, securing the victory and essentially guaranteeing the match for the Grandmasters.
Pipers Fight Back
The Alpine SG Pipers refused to go quietly. Hou Yifan delivered a masterclass on board four, grinding down Polina Shuvalova in a marathon 78-move battle. After defending tenaciously through the middle game, Hou seized her chance in the endgame, launching a devastating counterattack that Shuvalova couldn’t contain. The victory kept the Pipers’ hopes alive.
Leon Luke Mendonca completed the Pipers’ comeback attempt with a powerful performance against Raunak Sadhwani. Mendonca’s aggressive play created immediate problems, and after winning material decisively, White’s position crumbled. The resignation on move 32 cut the Grandmasters’ lead to a single point.
Tsolakidou Closes the Door
With the match hanging in the balance, Stavroula Tsolakidou delivered when it mattered most. Against Nino Batsiashvili on board five, Tsolakidou launched a brilliant attacking display, sacrificing material to expose Black’s king. The finish was spectacular—a beautiful checkmate on move 38 that sealed the match for the Grandmasters and denied the Pipers their comeback.
Narrow Escape
The final 10-9 scoreline tells the story of a match that could have swung either way. The Grandmasters’ three wins came with attacking brilliance, but the Pipers’ two victories proved they’re dangerous opponents who never surrender. With both teams trading blows throughout the evening, this single-point margin demonstrates just how competitive the league has become.
For the Ganges Grandmasters, this victory maintains their momentum despite the scare. For the Alpine SG Pipers, the narrow loss will sting—they were one board away from stealing points. In a tournament where every match matters, both teams proved they belong among the elite.
