The Alpine SG Pipers were crowned the undisputed champions of the Global Chess League (GCL) in a dominant display at the grand finale in Mumbai on Tuesday. Led by American superstar Fabiano Caruana, the Pipers swept aside the two-time winners Triveni Continental Kings with a resounding 4-0 victory in what turned out to be a one-sided title clash.
Star Performers Seal the Deal for Pipers
The championship victory was built on crucial contributions from a diverse and talented squad. Five-time Dutch champion Anish Giri, who had a modest run with just three wins in the 12-round league phase, rose to the occasion spectacularly on the final day. He delivered a double blow by outplaying China's World Rapid number four, Wei Yi, in both of their encounters.
India's lone representative at the upcoming Candidates tournament, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, also played a pivotal role. After a quick draw in the first game of the final, Pragg defeated his compatriot and seasoned Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi in their second outing, adding a crucial point to the Pipers' tally.
Mendonca's Stunning Debut and Team Consistency
The revelation of the tournament was Goan prodigy Leon Luke Mendonca. Playing on the prodigy board in his GCL debut, the young Grandmaster was in dominant form, racking up an impressive total of six victories over the course of the league. In the final, he continued his fine run by outclassing Marc Andria Maurizzi with both the black and white pieces.
The team's success was also underpinned by remarkable consistency from other members. Four-time Georgian women’s national champion Nino Batsiashvili was the most reliable performer for the Pipers throughout the event. Furthermore, the strategic acumen of women's World No.1 Hou Yifan was instrumental in guiding Caruana's team to the finals.
Thrilling Battle for Third Place
Earlier in the day, the third-place play-off provided high drama as it went down to the tie-breaks. The match featured the PBG Alaskan Knights, led by Indian sensation D Gukesh, against the Ganges Grandmasters, mentored by the legendary Viswanathan Anand.
Anand's Grandmasters took the initial lead by winning the first tie 4-2. However, Gukesh's Knights fought back valiantly, winning the second outing 3.5-2.5 to level the overall score and force a decider. In the nerve-wracking tie-break games, the Knights held their nerve, defeating the Grandmasters in both contests to secure third place with a comprehensive 6-2 play-off victory.
The ten-day chess extravaganza in Mumbai concluded with the Alpine SG Pipers etching their name on the trophy, showcasing a perfect blend of experienced stalwarts and exciting young talent in a truly global team effort.
