Nine players from the top ten in action

The third edition of the Global Chess League, sponsored by Tech Mahindra, got underway on Sunday at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai. As in previous seasons, the opening day featured three matches played consecutively, setting the tone for an intense schedule. The event continues to emphasise its franchise-based identity, with compact match sessions and a strong focus on team results rather than individual standings.

A notable regulatory change was introduced this year regarding the time control. While games are still played with 20 minutes for the entire game, they now include a 2-second increment starting from move 41. This adjustment replaces the increment-free format used in the first two seasons and is intended to reduce outcomes decided purely by extreme time pressure, particularly in the later stages of games.

Master Class Vol. 12: Viswanathan Anand

This DVD allows you to learn from the example of one of the best players in the history of chess and from the explanations of the authors how to successfully organise your games strategically, and how to keep your opponent permanently under pressure.

The innovative scoring system remains unchanged. Wins with the black pieces are worth four game points, while wins with white earn three, with draws counting for one point. This continues to reward risk-taking with black and plays a key role in determining match winners.

Although Magnus Carlsen is absent for the first time, having represented SG Alpine Pipers in the previous two editions, the overall strength of the field remains exceptionally high. In fact, nine of the world's top ten players are competing, alongside all players ranked between 11^th and 15^th on the current FIDE rating list.

As a result, every match on day one featured elite encounters on the top boards. Among the standout pairings were Alireza Firouzja v. Fabiano Caruana, Wei Yi v. Anish Giri, Viswanathan Anand v. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Hikaru Nakamura v. Gukesh Dommaraju.

1. On the scoreboard, Triveni Continental Knights, winners of the first two editions, opened their campaign with a 9–7 victory over SG Alpine Pipers. The result was largely shaped by wins on the top two boards from Firouzja and Wei, with Firouzja defeating Caruana in a sharp and decisive game.
2. The second match saw Upgrad Mumba Masters dominate Ganges Grandmasters 17–4, helped by four wins with black, including victories by Vachier-Lagrave (over Vishy Anand) and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (over recent World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov).
3. In the final match of the day, five draws left little to separate the teams, but Teodora Injac's win over Sara Khadem proved decisive as Fyers American Gambits edged past PBG Alaskan Knights by 8–5.

• Official website
• Full technical info on Chess-Results

Match #1: Continental Kings 9–7 Pipers

The Scotch Game

Besides in-depth theory and exciting tactical exercises in the Scotch Game, this video course also includes a bonus section on the Scotch Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Bc4), a lively variation often leading to very dynamic positions.

Wei Yi defeated Anish Giri in a battle that we will get to see again in next year's Candidates Tournament | Photo: Official website

The two decisive games on the top boards featured battles with kings castles on opposite sides of the board, while Nino Batsiashvili victory over Alexandra Kosteniuk saw the Georgian GM outplaying her opponent in an endgame with knight and rook against bishop and rook.

Firouzja's victory was particularly impressive, with the 22-year-old sacrificing a knight on move 20 to get a deadly kingside attack.

Match #2: Mumba Masters 17–4 Grandmasters

ChessBase '26 - Mega Package

EXPAND YOUR CHESS HORIZONS
Data, plans, practice – the new Opening Report In ChessBase there are always attempts to show the typical plans of an opening variation. In the age of engines, chess is much more concrete than previously thought. But amateurs in particular love openings with clear plans, see the London System. In ChessBase ’26, three functions deal with the display of plans. The new opening report examines which piece moves or pawn advances are significant for each important variation. In the reference search you can now see on the board where the pieces usually go. If you start the new Monte Carlo analysis, the board also shows the most common figure paths.

Vishy Anand was defeated by Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Photo: Official website

By far, the most one-sided match of the day saw Maxime Vachier-Lagrave beating local hero Vishy Anand from the black side of a strategic battle arising from a Ruy Lopez.

On the bottom boards, Harika Dronavalli had the safer king in a complex battle against Stavroula Tsolakidou, while Bardiya Daneshvar made the most of a single blunder by Raunak Sadhwani to claim the 4 points that the tournament grants for wins with the black pieces.

The more entertaining game of the match, meanwhile, saw the ever-creative Shakhriyar Mamedyarov coming out on top against the in-form Javokhir Sindarov, who comes from winning the World Cup and having a strong performance at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Finals in South Africa.

Match #3: American Gambits 8–5 Alaskan Knights

King’s Indian – A Complete Repertoire for Black Part 1 & 2

GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
The King’s Indian Defence has been one of the most dynamic and popular responses to 1.d4 for decades. Legends such as Garry Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, and Hikaru Nakamura have employed it at the highest level – and it continues to fascinate today, as it offers Black not only solidity but also rich attacking and counterattacking opportunities. Its special advantage: the King’s Indian is a universal system, equally effective against 1.d4, 1.c4, and 1.Nf3. Grandmaster Felix Blohberger, multiple Austrian Champion and experienced second, presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black. His approach: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: London System

Teodora Injac | Photo: Official website

Following a match that featured five games ending decisively, the final confrontation of the day featured a single decisive game. Teodora Injac, the current European women's champion, made the most of a blunder by Sara Khadem to give the American Gambits overall victory.

Links

• Official website
• Continental Kings clinch GCL for the second consecutive year (2024)
• Jonas Buhl Bjerre wins thriller, Triveni Continental Kings clinch title (2023)