Gulf Titans stun Ganges Grandmasters; Mumba Masters score important win

DUBAI: Chingari Gulf Titans caused a big upset by stunning table-toppers Ganges Grandmasters 9:7 while upGrad Mumbai Masters won a crucial match as the Global Chess League delivered another round of gripping clashes here on Tuesday.

Despite the defeat, Ganges Grandmasters continue to lead in the Global Chess League, while upGrad Mumba Masters moved one place up and are now third.

The Chingari Gulf Titans clashed with the Ganges Grandmasters in their second encounter of the Global Chess League round-robin. In the previous match, the Ganges Grandmasters had played as white and emerged victorious after winning the coin toss. This time, it was their turn to play with the black pieces.

The Ganges Grandmasters entered the match as the slight favourites -– they confidently won the first duel with the Titans with a 10:4 score and have also dominated the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League. In contrast, the Titans were struggling and under pressure to climb up the standings from the bottom of the table.

As both sides pushed hard, the games led to complicated positions on each board.

The first break for the Titans came on board five -- Polina Shuvalova created a better position against Bella Khotenashvilli. In a complicated position, Khotenashvilli made an error in time trouble and handed over the game to Shuvalova and, eventually, lost on time. Soon afterward two top world heavyweights Richard Rapport and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov decided to draw.

In a chaotic game between Daniil Dubov and Leinier Dominguez, where both sides exchanged advantages, Dubov emerged victorious after time trouble, securing four critical points for the Titans. Nihal Sarin drew with Andrey Esipenko despite having the upper hand for the greater part of the game.

Vishy Anand of Ganges Grandmasters gave his team some respite when he beat icon player and board one Jan-Kryzsztof Duda, but that wasn’t enough for victory. Despite her efforts, former World Champion Hou Yifan of Ganges Grandmasters was not successful in defeating Alexandra Kosteniuk, the game ended with a draw.

The Titans thus scored a crucial victory that lifted them from the bottom of the scoreboard. Despite the loss, the Ganges Grandmasters retained their lead.

In another intense battle, Grad Mumba Masters emerged victorious against the Triveni Continental Kings, securing wins on the final two boards for a 10:4 triumph. IANS

Also Read: Global Chess League: Ganges Grandmasters maintain dominant streak

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