| Ganges Grandmasters | 12-3 | FYERS American Gambits |
|---|---|---|
| GM Anand, Viswanathan | 1-1 | GM Nakamura, Hikaru |
| GM Keymer, Vincent | 3-0 | GM Artemiev, Vladislav |
| GM Sindarov, Javokhir | 1-1 | GM Rapport, Richard |
| GM Shuvalova, Polina | 1-1 | GM Assaubayeva, Bibisara |
| GM Tsolakidou, Stavroula | 3-0 | IM Injac, Teodora |
| GM Sadhwani, Raunak | 3-0 | GM Murzin, Volodar |
The Ganges Grandmasters delivered a commanding 12-3 demolition of the FYERS American Gambits in Match 28 at the Royal Opera House. In a one-sided affair that showcased the Grandmasters’ championship credentials, three decisive victories and three solid draws left the Gambits with no answers.
Anand and Nakamura Split Honors
The icon board featured a fascinating battle between legends Viswanathan Anand and Hikaru Nakamura. In a complex Spanish opening that spiraled into tactical chaos, both superstars created threats but found no breakthrough. After 41 moves of intense maneuvering, the players split the point—a result that reflected mutual respect and evenly matched preparation.
Keymer Strikes First Blood
Vincent Keymer provided the Grandmasters’ opening salvo on board two, dismantling Vladislav Artemiev with clinical precision. After gaining a slight edge in the opening, Keymer capitalized ruthlessly. His pieces coordinated beautifully, creating unstoppable threats that left Artemiev helpless. The resignation on move 39 gave the Grandmasters crucial momentum.
Draws Keep It Balanced
Board three saw Javokhir Sindarov and Richard Rapport engage in a marathon 60-move draw. Despite both players creating chances in a complex middle game, neither could break through. The women’s board four followed suit, with Polina Shuvalova and Bibisara Assaubayeva battling to an epic 76-move draw after both queens were promoted in a thrilling finale.
Tsolakidou Delivers the Hammer Blow
Stavroula Tsolakidou sealed the Grandmasters’ dominance with a brilliant performance on board five. Against Teodora Injac, Tsolakidou launched a devastating attack that overwhelmed Black’s defenses. Her pieces swarmed forward with lethal purpose, and when the smoke cleared, White’s passed pawn proved unstoppable. The resignation on move 45 essentially guaranteed the match victory.
Sadhwani Closes the Show
Raunak Sadhwani delivered the final blow on the prodigy board, overpowering Volodar Murzin in a tactical masterpiece. After sacrificing material for a ferocious attack on Black’s exposed king, Sadhwani’s pieces coordinated brilliantly. The finish was spectacular—White’s queen and bishop combination forced resignation on move 42 as Black’s position collapsed completely.
Statement Victory
The 12-3 scoreline tells the complete story. Three decisive wins, three solid draws—the Grandmasters dominated from start to finish. The Gambits, despite their star-studded lineup featuring Nakamura and Artemiev, found themselves outplayed on multiple boards.
For the Ganges Grandmasters, this comprehensive victory demonstrates they’re genuine championship contenders. The combination of Anand’s experience, Keymer’s precision, and contributions from every board shows a team hitting peak form at the perfect moment.
The FYERS American Gambits face tough questions after this crushing defeat. In a format where momentum matters, losing by nine points represents a serious setback. They’ll need to regroup quickly as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
This match proved that in team chess, depth and execution determine outcomes. Today, the Grandmasters had both in abundance.
