The PBG Alaskan Knights secured a hard-fought victory against the FYERS American Gambits in Match 16, with the outcome hanging in the balance until the final boards were decided.
Nakamura’s Masterclass Stuns World Champion
The headline of the evening belonged to Hikaru Nakamura, who delivered a stunning blow to reigning World Champion Gukesh D on Board 1. Playing with the black pieces, Nakamura showcased his tactical brilliance, turning defense into attack with surgical precision. After Gukesh sacrificed material for an initiative, Nakamura’s counterplay proved unstoppable. The game reached a fever pitch when Nakamura’s knight landed on f3 with devastating effect, forcing the young champion into a hopeless position. This crucial win set the tone for the Knights’ victory.
Erigaisi Keeps Gambits in the Hunt
For the Gambits, Arjun Erigaisi provided the crucial response on Board 2. Facing Vladislav Artemiev, the Indian star played with remarkable clarity in a complex middle game. After winning the exchange and simplifying into an endgame, Erigaisi demonstrated textbook technique. His passed pawn on the g-file became unstoppable, eventually promoting to a queen and sealing the full point. This win kept the Gambits within striking distance.
Solid Draws Keep Things Tight
Boards 3 and 4 saw experienced campaigners battling to draws. Leinier Dominguez Perez and Richard Rapport repeated positions in a balanced struggle, while Kateryna Lagno and Bibisara Assaubayeva played out a lengthy endgame that neither could break through. These draws meant the match would be decided by the remaining boards.
Decisive Moments on Lower Boards
Sarasadat Khademalsharieh proved clinical on Board 5, converting her advantage against Teodora Injac with ruthless efficiency. After winning material, she launched a devastating attack that crashed through just as time pressure mounted. The final board between Daniel Dardha and Volodar Murzin ended in a draw after a rollercoaster ride featuring sacrifices, counterplay, and mutual chances.
The Verdict
The Knights’ victory came down to Nakamura’s brilliance and Khademalsharieh’s precision outweighing Erigaisi’s heroics for the Gambits. With three draws across six boards, it was the quality of the wins that made the difference. The Knights move forward with momentum, while the Gambits will look to regroup and bounce back stronger in their next outing.
