Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Sep 9: Defending champions Alpine APL Pipers completed a double over close contenders Mumba Masters to move to the top of the overall standings, while Ganges Grandmasters crushed two-time champions Triveni Continental Kings to climb to second place after six rounds of the Global Chess League (GCL) here on Wednesday.
The Pipers defeated Mumba Masters 11-6 before Ganges Grandmasters registered a commanding 15-3 victory over Triveni Continental Kings. Mumba Masters suffered a double setback as they later went down 6-11 to PBG Alaskan Knights.
With the battle for the top two spots intensifying, all eyes were on the opening clash between Pipers and Mumba Masters. The two teams had been level on match points and game points at the halfway stage on Tuesday, occupying second and third positions respectively overnight.
On Wednesday, however, the Pipers controlled most of the boards with the white pieces. World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen produced a solid performance to defeat Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in 31 moves, while Anish Giri seized the initiative against M Pranesh on the 10th move and maintained his advantage throughout.
Volodar Murzin then secured the Pipers' fourth win in six matches by forcing Bardiya Daneshvar to resign after 52 moves. D Harika's victory over Divya Deshmukh was the only bright spot for Mumba Masters.
Ganges Grandmasters subsequently completed their second win over Triveni Continental Kings, this time dominating with the black pieces.
At the start, the Kings appeared to have prepared well with the white pieces and looked capable of continuing their recovery after a disastrous opening to their campaign.
However, Ganges Grandmasters' Polina Shuvalova, who now has five wins from six games, turned the match in her team's favour by defeating Zhu Jiner in 47 moves.
Luke Leon Mendonca then capitalised on an error by Pranav V to win on the prodigy board.
Stavroula Tsolakidou sealed the result by defeating former women's world champion Alexandra Kosteniuk in a 63-move marathon.
Later in the day, Mumba Masters had another opportunity to move to the top when they faced PBG Alaskan Knights with the white pieces. They appeared to be on course for victory until the closing stages.
Carissa Yip, who had been in a much better position, lost on time against Nino Batsiashvili, while Abhimanyu Mishra bounced back from Tuesday's disappointment to defeat Bardiya Daneshvar.
Mishra's victory secured the win for PBG Alaskan Knights and earned him the Player of the Match award.