By Muhammad Rafiq
LONDON: Triveni Continental Kings secured their second consecutive championship at the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League by defeating PBG Alaskan Knights in a gripping final. Triveni dominated the two-match series with a 13-7 victory as Black in the first match and a 9-7 win as White in the second. The triumph earned them the top prize of $500,000.
Former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk played a pivotal role, defeating Tan Zhongyi in a decisive game to prevent PBG from forcing a tiebreak, earning her the Player of the Match title.
“Amazing how chess can be so exciting,” said Alireza Firouzja, Triveni’s Icon player, who appreciated the event’s innovation of no time increments. “I hope to see more of this.”
PBG Alaskan Knights, who were the frontrunners throughout the season, fell short in the finals but earned $250,000 for their commendable performance.
Triveni’s Road to Victory After nine days of intense competition, the final showdown took place at London’s Friends House. PBG dominated the season, winning eight out of ten matches, while Triveni’s journey was marked by crucial victories, including a last-minute win against Alpine Sg Pipers led by Magnus Carlsen. Despite a strong head-to-head record against Triveni, PBG could not maintain their edge in the final.
Final Match Recap PBG, who won the coin toss, opted to start as Black, a strategy seen throughout the league. The first match began with Alireza Firouzja’s win over Anish Giri, leading Triveni to a 4-1 start. Alexandra Kosteniuk’s bold win over Tan Zhongyi sealed the 9-7 victory for Triveni.
In the second match, PBG needed a win to stay in the contest but faced challenges under intense pressure. Despite taking an early lead, critical blunders on boards by Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Tan Zhongyi turned the tide in Triveni’s favor. Kosteniuk’s win over Tan secured Triveni’s 13-7 victory, clinching their second title.
Triveni’s remarkable performance and resilience underscore their championship spirit, solidifying their status as the team to beat in the Global Chess League.
