The second day of the Global Chess League (GCL) in Mumbai was decisively claimed by chess masters with roots in Iran. In a series of thrilling matches at the Royal Opera House on Monday, Iranian-born talents delivered standout performances that shaped the day's outcomes.
Triveni Kings Triumph in Champions' Clash
The final match of the second round featured a heavyweight battle between the two GCL champions. The Triveni Continental Kings, champions of season 1, overpowered the current holders, PBG Alaskan Knights, with a convincing 15-3 scoreline. The round saw three decisive results and an equal number of drawn games, showcasing intense competition.
On the icon board, the spotlight was on French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja, who was born in Iran. Defending with black pieces, Firouzja expertly employed the Symmetrical Variation of the English Opening. His strategic play forced Indian world champion Gukesh D to resign on the 39th move, marking a significant upset.
Other notable results included Chinese world classical No. 2 Zhu Jiner surprising Kateryna Lagno on the women's board. The prodigy duel was a marathon affair, with Marc'Andria Maurizzi eventually shocking Daniel Dardha after a grueling 73-move contest.
Ganges Grandmasters Rally Despite Anand's Loss
For the second consecutive time, Indian legend Viswanathan Anand faced defeat. However, his team, the Ganges Grandmasters, did not falter. In-form squad members powered the team to a comfortable 13-7 victory over the Fabiano Caruana-led Alpine SG Pipers.
The team's success was built on several key wins. Youngest World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov pulled off a surprise victory against Praggnanandhaa R. On the women's board, Polina Shuvalova demonstrated masterful rook play to checkmate women's world No. 1 Hou Yifan in 49 moves.
Adding to the triumph, Nagpur's first Grandmaster Raunak Sadhwani showcased remarkable resilience. After a blunder on Sunday, he fought back strongly to outplay Leon Luke Mendonca. "I was confident today," Sadhwani said. "I played faster, put pressure on the board and the clock. I'm very happy the team won, that's what matters in the end."
Bardiya Daneshvar: The Young Giant-Killer
The day's hero for the hosts, UpGrad Mumba Masters, was Iran's 19-year-old prodigy, Bardiya Daneshvar. In a tightly contested match, his crucial win proved to be the difference-maker. Bardiya defeated reigning world rapid champion Murzin Volodar, helping the hosts narrowly edge out Fyers American Gambits 9-7.
The Gambits had started strong, with Hikaru Nakamura securing a win over Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Azerbaijan's top-ranked GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov then leveled the score for the Masters by outplaying Richard Rapport. After all other games ended in draws, the tie hung in the balance.
The decisive moment came when the 2498-rated Bardiya, facing a 2642 Elo opponent, expertly managed his clock in a Ruy Lopez opening. He secured an upset victory over Murzin in 47 moves. This marked Bardiya's second giant-killing win in the league, maintaining the Masters' perfect record of two wins from two matches.
The second day of the Global Chess League underscored the depth of talent and the dramatic, unpredictable nature of elite team chess, with young prodigies and established masters alike shaping the tournament's narrative.
