Global Chess League 2024: Triveni Continental Kings defeats PBG Alaskan Knights to retain title

Despite losing both matches to the PBG Alaskan Knights in the league stage of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, the Triveni Continental Kings showcased its class in the final.

Alireza Firouzja (far left) played a key role in the team’s journey to the final, scoring heavily against the league’s best players. | Photo Credit: Global Chess League

A true champion knows when to strike, and the Triveni Continental Kings demonstrated that on a cloudy Saturday afternoon in central London.

Despite losing both matches to the PBG Alaskan Knights in the league stage of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, the defending champions showcased their class in the final at the beautiful and historic venue of Friends House. The Continental Kings clinched victory with match scores of 9-7 and 13-7, successfully retaining its title.

Remarkably, the Continental Kings achieved this feat with a new player on the Icon board: Alireza Firouzja, who came in as a last minute replacement. The Iran-born Frenchman played a key role in the team’s journey to the final, scoring heavily against the league’s best players.

READ | Alireza Firouzja: Happy to participate in Global Chess League 2024, despite last-moment decision

It was his win against Anish Giri on the Icon board that gave the lead for Continental Kings. With white pieces, he won the rook-and-minor piece ending in 45 moves.

The game between Teimour Radjabov and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov ended in a draw. However, Alexandra Kosteniuk’s win against Tan Zhongyi clinched the match for the Continental Kings.

The defeat of Wei Yi to Nodirbek Abdusattorov was inconsequential. Valentina Gunina drew with Alina Kashlinskaya, and Jovakhir Sindarov also drew with Nihal Sarin.

The moment of 𝐆𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐘 for the Triveni Continental Kings 🏆

Their brilliance shines through again, as they lift back-to-back Stake #TechMGCL titles 💪 #TheNextMove #PBGvTCK | @tech_mahindra | @MahindraRise | @chesscom | @chesscom_in | @FIDE_chess | @trivenickingspic.twitter.com/a0GE3D4twT

— Tech Mahindra Global Chess League (@GCLlive) October 12, 2024

In the second match, Kosteniuk again played a starring role. Her speed and presence of mind ensured that the title would be decided in this match, as she outwitted Tan for the second time in the day.

There were also wins for Wei Yi and Valentina Gunina, who triumphed over Abdusattorov and Kashlinskaya, respectively.

Kosteniuk was named ‘Player of the Match’ in the final, and the Continental Kings celebrated its victory in front of a cheering crowd, taking home a prize of $500,000.

The results (final):

Triveni Continental Kings bt PBG Alaskan Knights 9-7 (Alireza Firouzja bt Anish Giri; Wei Yi lost to Nodirbek Abdusattorov; Teimour Radjabov drew with Shakhriyar Mamedyarov; Alexandra Kosteniuk bt Tan Zhongyi; Valentina Gunina drew with Alina Kashlinskaya; Javokhir Sindarov drew with Nihal Sarin).

PBG Alaskan Knights lost to Continental Kings 7-13 (Giri bt Firouzja; Abdusattarov lost to Wei; Mamedyarov bt Radjabov; Tan lost to Kosteniuk; Kashlinskaya lost to Gunina; Nihal drew with Sindarov).

The league standings:

The standings (league stage):

1. PBG Alaskan Knights 24 match points (114 game points); 2. Triveni Continental Kings 18 (99); 3. Alpine SG Pipers 18 (88); 4. American Gambits 12 (73); 5. Upgrad Mumba Masters 9 (74); 6. Ganges Grandmasters 9 (69).

(The correspondent is in London at the invitation of Tech Mahindra)