News

Global Chess League, day five: PBG still on top despite first defeat

Published

2 years ago

October 8, 2024

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PBG Alaskan Knights suffered their first defeat of the league, losing to the third-placed Alpine Sg Pipers. Meanwhile, last year’s winners, Triveni Continental Kings, climbed to second place, tying with PBG in game points. Ganges Grandmasters also made strides up the table, while the American Gambits and upGrad Mumba Masters find themselves at the bottom of the standings.
The three matches played today at London’s Friends House marked the beginning of the second half of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, with teams now facing each other in return matches.
Defending champions Triveni secured a 10-8 win over upGrad Mumba Masters in the opening match of the day. Triveni’s star player, Alireza Firouzja, continued his stellar performance, clinching his fifth consecutive victory in the league. Despite having one fewer match win than PBG, Triveni now have an equal number of game points. Meanwhile, upGrad Mumba Masters have fallen to the bottom of the standings, being the only team with just one match win.
League leaders PBG Alaskan Knights faced their first setback in the league, after a narrow 9-7 loss to Alpine Sg Pipers. Led by Magnus Carlsen on the icon board, the Pipers secured victory thanks to stellar performances by their two women players, Kateryna Lagno and Hou Yifan, who both won their games.
In the final match of the day, Ganges Grandmasters cruised to a 10-4 win over the American Gambits. Key victories by Nurgyul Salimova and Volodar Murzin sealed the win. This victory pushed Ganges up to fourth place, while the Gambits dropped down to fifth.

Here follows a closer look at the matches on day five of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League:
Triveni Kings vs Mumba Masters: A dramatic rematch as Firouzja stays undefeated
The Triveni Continental Kings and upGrad Mumba Masters opened the second half of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League on day five of the event.
Triveni, the reigning champions from season one, entered the match with three wins out of five, starting the day in second place. Meanwhile, the Mumba Masters—season one’s top contenders—were in a tough spot, managing only one win and four losses, leaving them just one position above last place.
This second phase of the tournament marks the beginning of the rematch stage, as all teams have already faced each other once. In their first encounter, Triveni—playing with the White pieces—defeated Mumba 12–3, with decisive victories from Alireza Firouzja, Wei Yi, and Valentina Gunina. However, this time Mumba had the advantage of making the first move.
Mumba’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave was looking to avenge his yesterday’s loss to Firouzja. In a sharp, tactical game, Vachier-Lagrave made several blunders, allowing Firouzja to seal the match with a crushing attacking combination. The game would have ended in checkmate had Vachier-Lagrave not resigned. This marked Firouzja’s fifth consecutive victory, leaving him undefeated after six rounds.
Superstars Vidit Gujrathi and Wei Yi followed the same opening line as on the top board. Unlike the first game, however, Mumba came out on top after a critical mistake by Wei Yi late in the game. Alexandra Kosteniuk then extended Triveni’s lead by defeating Humpy Koneru, but Harika Dronavalli struck back against Gunina, keeping Mumba in contention.
With Triveni leading 9–7, the outcome hinged on the youngsters’ board. Triveni’s Javokhir Sindarov had two winning positions but missed both, ending in desperate time trouble. Mumba’s Raunak Sadhwani wasn’t aware that his team needed a win – he could have played on but opted to repeat the moves, giving a draw to Triveni which sealed their victory.
The final score of the match was 10–8 for Triveni.
“This is one of the best performances I’ve ever had, but there are still a few rounds left,” said Firouzja after the game, adding that his team was “a bit lucky to win the match.”

Alpine Sg Pipers vs PBG Alaskan Knights: Revenge served as tournament leaders suffer first defeat
The second match saw Magnus Carlsen’s Alpine Sg Pipers face league leaders PBG Alaskan Knights. Their previous encounter finished with a narrow victory for the Knights, 9-7. The Knights entered this rematch hoping to extend their unbeaten run but the Sg Pipers were eager for revenge.
Right from the outset, the Sg Pipers, playing with the White pieces, seemed to find more comfortable positions and were steadily pressing the tournament leaders. Carlsen sacrificed material early on to improve his position, while Giri opted for a daring combination, giving up his queen but gaining what seemed to be a more favorable setup for Black. By this point, Giri had six minutes left on the clock, while Carlsen was down to just three. Carlsen ultimately got the upper hand but faltered under time pressure, leading the game to a draw.
The first decisive result of the match came from Alpine’s Kateryna Lagno, who scored her first victory in six games by defeating Alina Kashlinskaya. With the superstar boards ending in draws, this win was critical for the Sg Pipers. However, on board six, things weren’t going their way: Daniel Dardha was in serious trouble against PBGs Nihal Sarin. Fortunately for the Pipers, Hou Yifan beat Tan Zhongyi, which ultimately swung the match in her team’s favor.
Thanks to Pipers scoring two victories on the women’s boards, the final result mirrored their previous defeat to the Knights – 9-7 – but this time in their favor, making it a sweet revenge. Pipers moved one step closer to the top two teams in the league, while PBG Alaskan Knights got a sobering reminder that they are not the only ones in contention for first place.

Ganges Grandmasters vs American Gambits: Vishy Anand’s team finally pulls through
The Ganges Grandmasters entered this match at the bottom of the league standings. They had just one victory and four losses, totaling only 28 game points. The team led by Vishy Anand needed a win to avoid falling further behind in the competition. Meanwhile, the American Gambits were also under pressure, needing a win to catch up with the top three teams.
In their previous encounter, the American Gambits had dominated with a 10-4 win over the Ganges Grandmasters. For the rematch, Ganges had the advantage of playing with the White pieces.
The match was tense from the start. Vishy Anand drew with Hikaru Nakamura on the top board, as neither side was able to gain a decisive advantage. On the first superstar board, Ganges’ Erigaisi had a golden opportunity to score a win against Jan-Krzysztof Duda but blundered in the endgame, settling for a draw. Tight draws also followed on the second superstar board and the first women’s board, with Vaishali and Bibisara Assaubayeva unable to break through each other’s defences.
The match outcome hinged on the lower boards. Nurgyul Salimova made a strong comeback, avenging her previous loss to Elisabeth Paehtz by winning a tricky queen endgame. Meanwhile, Ganges’ youngster Volodar Murzin established a commanding position early on against Jonas Bjerre and converted it into a crucial victory.
With two victories and four draws, Ganges Grandmasters secured a 10-4 win, lifting them from the bottom of the table. The American Gambits, on the other hand, dropped to fifth place

Related Topics:#globalchessleague #globalchessleague2024 #globalchessleagueseason2

Staff Reporter

Crime

Why the UAE does not allow emergency lights on private cars

Published

10 mins ago

July 14, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Emergency warning lights and sirens are reserved for authorised vehicles such as ambulances, police patrols and civil defence units in the UAE.

While some motorists may see flashing lights as a way to move through traffic faster, using or installing them on a private vehicle without permission is a criminal offence that can lead to prison, hefty fines and the confiscation of the vehicle.

An Abu Dhabi court sentenced two men to six months in prison after one illegally used emergency warning lights on a private vehicle and the other supplied and installed the equipment without authorisation.

Here’s why the UAE takes the issue so seriously.

Emergency lights are only for authorised vehicles

Emergency warning systems are designed to help first responders reach incidents as quickly and safely as possible.

These include vehicles operated by:

Police
Ambulance services
Civil Defence
Other government emergency agencies

When road users see flashing lights or hear a siren, they are expected to give way immediately. If private vehicles were allowed to use the same equipment, it would undermine the credibility of genuine emergency responders.

Public safety can be endangered

Unauthorised use of emergency lights can create confusion on the roads.

Drivers may:

Move aside unnecessarily.
Brake suddenly.
Change lanes unexpectedly.
Mistake a private vehicle for an official emergency service.

This increases the risk of collisions and can disrupt the normal flow of traffic.

They can delay genuine emergency services

If motorists become unsure whether flashing lights belong to an authorised emergency vehicle, they may hesitate before giving way.

Even a few seconds of delay can make a difference when ambulances, police officers or firefighters are responding to life-threatening situations.

Selling or installing the equipment is also illegal

The law does not only apply to drivers.

Businesses and individuals who sell, supply or install emergency warning lights or sirens without the required approvals can also face criminal penalties.

Authorities have warned companies that they may be prosecuted if they provide such equipment for unauthorised use.

What are the penalties?

The penalties can be severe.

In a recent Abu Dhabi court case:

A driver was sentenced to six months in prison after using a private vehicle fitted with emergency warning lights.
The vehicle and emergency equipment were confiscated.
A company manager who supplied and installed the equipment was also sentenced to six months in prison, fined Dh100,000, and had related equipment confiscated.

The case followed an investigation by authorities after smart surveillance systems detected a vehicle using emergency lights without authorisation.

How violations are detected

The UAE uses advanced surveillance technology and traffic monitoring systems to identify vehicles using unauthorised emergency equipment.

If a violation is detected, authorities can trace the vehicle, investigate how the equipment was obtained and take legal action against both the driver and those involved in supplying or installing the systems.

The ban on emergency lights is designed to protect public safety and preserve the integrity of emergency services. By restricting their use to authorised vehicles, the UAE ensures that motorists respond immediately to genuine emergencies and that first responders can carry out their duties without unnecessary delays or confusion.

For motorists, the message is clear: installing or using emergency warning lights on a private vehicle without official approval is not only illegal, it can also carry serious legal and financial consequences.

News

UAE wins three ICC Development Awards for women’s cricket and grassroots growth

Published

53 mins ago

July 14, 2026

Michael Gomes

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The Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) celebrated a landmark achievement after winning three honours at the ICC Development Awards 2025, recognising its outstanding contribution to grassroots cricket and the growth of the women’s game in the UAE.

The awards were presented during the International Cricket Council (ICC) Annual Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, where cricket boards from around the world were recognised for programmes that have helped expand participation and develop the sport.

Initiative of the Year

The ECB’s first award came in the Marriott Bonvoy ICC Development Initiative of the Year category for its pioneering Girls U15 Academy League. The programme, the first of its kind in the region, was recognised for creating new opportunities for young girls to participate in competitive cricket while promoting inclusion and wider access to the sport.

The board also shared the ICC Female Cricket Initiative of the Year award with Türkiye Cricket. The honour recognised the UAE’s efforts to expand girls’ cricket through the Get into Cricket – Girls Only programme and the Interschool Criiio Gulf Cup, initiatives launched following the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 to introduce cricket to schools and communities across the country.

Victory for UAE women’s national team

Completing a memorable evening, the ECB received the ICC Associate Member Women’s Team Performance of the Year award after the UAE women’s national team made history during its tour of Zimbabwe.

Competing in their first-ever 50-over series after gaining ODI status, the UAE secured a 2-2 draw in the One-Day International series before defeating Zimbabwe 2-0 in the subsequent T20 International series. The result marked the UAE’s maiden bilateral series victory over a higher-ranked Full Member nation on foreign soil.

ECB Board Member Zayed Abbas described the awards as a significant milestone for everyone involved in UAE cricket.

“These awards are a massive encouragement for the Emirates Cricket Board management, officials, players and support staff,” Abbas said.

He thanked the ICC for recognising the work of Associate Members and said the honours had strengthened the board’s determination to invest further in cricket development.

Abbas also praised the rapid rise of women’s cricket in the UAE, saying growing media attention and increased participation at grassroots level were creating a strong foundation for the future.

“Thousands of girls are now playing cricket, which means that we have a solid foundation to work on for the years ahead,” he said.

Bright future for women’s team

Looking ahead, Abbas said the Emirates Cricket Board remains committed to providing the national women’s team with greater exposure against leading international sides as preparations continue for the ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 and qualification campaigns for future ICC Women’s T20 and ODI World Cups.

The ICC Development Awards recognise outstanding programmes and achievements that contribute to the growth of cricket globally, with winners selected from regional nominees across multiple development categories.

Business

Looking for a long-term rental in Dubai? Here’s where to start

Published

1 hour ago

July 14, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai offers a wide range of residential communities, whether you’re looking for a family-friendly neighbourhood, a vibrant city lifestyle or an affordable apartment with good transport links.

From waterfront towers to suburban communities with parks and schools, here’s a guide to some of the most preferred places to rent an apartment in Dubai for the long term.

Dubai Hills Estate: Family-friendly environment

Dubai Hills Estate has become one of the city’s most sought-after residential communities thanks to its green spaces, modern infrastructure and family-friendly environment.

Why renters choose Dubai Hills Estate

Spacious apartments and villas.
Parks, walking trails and playgrounds.
Reputable international schools nearby.
Dubai Hills Mall and healthcare facilities.
Peaceful surroundings with easy access to major roads.

It’s particularly popular with expat families looking for long-term stability and a high quality of life.

Business Bay: Best for professionals

Business Bay remains one of Dubai’s top rental hotspots for professionals working in the city’s commercial districts.

Why live in Business Bay?

Minutes from Downtown Dubai.
Excellent access to Sheikh Zayed Road and Dubai Metro.
Modern high-rise apartments.
Restaurants, cafés and nightlife.
Popular with young professionals, entrepreneurs and digital nomads.

Its central location makes commuting convenient while offering an energetic urban lifestyle.

Downtown Dubai: If you want city living

If you want to live in the heart of Dubai, Downtown Dubai offers premium apartments surrounded by iconic attractions.

Highlights include:

Walking distance to Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa.
Luxury residential towers.
Excellent dining and entertainment.
Strong public transport connectivity.
Vibrant lifestyle throughout the year.

Downtown is ideal for residents who enjoy living close to business, shopping and leisure destinations.

Dubai Marina: Home with a view

Dubai Marina remains one of the emirate’s most popular neighbourhoods for long-term renters.

Why choose Dubai Marina?

Waterfront lifestyle.
Dubai Metro and Tram connectivity.
Wide selection of cafés and restaurants.
Marina Walk and beach access.
Modern apartments with premium amenities.

The area appeals to professionals and couples seeking convenience and an active social scene.

Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC): Value for money

JVC has grown into one of Dubai’s fastest-expanding residential communities.

Residents enjoy:

More affordable rents than many central areas.
Parks and landscaped streets.
Family-friendly atmosphere.
Schools, supermarkets and fitness centres.
New apartment developments with modern facilities.

It offers a balance between affordability and quality of life.

Dubai Silicon Oasis: Affordable living

Dubai Silicon Oasis is a popular choice for professionals, students and families looking for value.

Key advantages include:

Competitive rental prices.
Technology and business hub.
Schools, clinics and shopping centres.
Easy access to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road.
Many buildings offer chiller-free apartments, helping reduce monthly utility costs.

The community combines residential, commercial and leisure facilities in one location.

International City: For budget renters