Event

Global Chess League: Magnus Carlsen beaten by clock; loses winning position to Alireza Firouzja

Published

2 months ago

October 6, 2024

Day two at the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League Season 2 featured a highly anticipated duel between league favorites, the Alpine Sg Pipers, and reigning champions, the Triveni Continental Kings. The Pipers, playing with the white pieces, entered the match with three points after defeating the Ganges Grandmasters on day one. Triveni, meanwhile, were looking to bounce back from a crushing 15-3 loss to the Alaskan Knights in their opening round.
This match also brought one of the most eagerly awaited face-offs of the league: world number one, Magnus Carlsen, versus Alireza Firouzja—the player Carlsen has described as the most likely to eventually take his place at the top of the rankings.
The early stages of the match were evenly balanced. About 20 minutes in—halfway through the time control (as each player had 20 minutes for their moves)—computer evaluations showed equality across the boards.
The first to break through was Richard Rapport of the Pipers, who launched a vicious attack on Teimour Radjabov, leaving him with no escape. Soon after, former Women’s World Champions Hou Yifan and Alexandra Kosteniuk agreed to a draw, putting the score at 4:1 in favor of the Pipers. With the result standing at 4 – 1 for the Pipers, the other four boards went down to the wire.
After testing his opponent in the middlegame, Magnus Carlsen managed to find a weakness in Alireza Firouzja’s position, to gain the upper hand. But Firouzja wasn’t giving up – his position was lost but he had one advantage – more time on the clock. With no time increment, the pressure shifted to Carlsen. Could he convert a winning position before his time ran out? Despite his efforts, Carlsen ultimately lost on time, a rare occurrence for the Norwegian. This critical victory gave Triveni four points and the lead in the match.
Pragnanandhaa then fell to Wei Yi on board two, further strengthening Triveni’s command of the match. Shortly after, the Pipers crumbled on the remaining boards, handing Triveni a stunning 17-4 victory—the most decisive result of the season so far.

Anish Giri holds Hikaru Nakamura to a draw
Earlier in the day, PBG Alaskan Knights took on the American Gambits. Both teams had a good start to the season, winning their initial matches.
The coin toss determined that Alaskan Knights would play with white pieces.
On board one – icon players Anish Giri (Alaskan Knights) and Hikaru Nakamura (American Gambits) drew their game despite a lot of options on the board to consider. Afterwards, the two class GMs were seen passionately discussing the moves and what each was thinking during the match. When asked if they are happy with the outcome, both confirmed but Nakamura noted it was Giri’s choice to go for a draw. As the match progressed, this turned out to be a good call for Giri as his teammates secured four victories (on the youngsters board, the women’s boards and one of the superstar boards) and one more draw, for a convincing score of 14:2.
After this round, PBG Alaskan Knights emerged as the sole leaders of the tournament, with six match points, while the American Gambits remained on three. While the American Gambits finished their games for the day, one more match awaits the Alaskan Knights, and based on their strong performances in the first two rounds, the signs are promising.
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Staff Reporter

Announcements

Schedule for Lanka T10 announced

Published

7 days ago

November 15, 2024

Staff Reporter

Jaffna Titans and Hambantota Bangla Tigers will lock horns with each other in the first match of the Lanka T10 Super League 2024.

11th November, 2024: The inaugural edition of the Lanka T10 Super League 2024 is all set to begin on 11th December, 2024 in Kandy and the cricket carnival will kickstart with the opening ceremony ahead of the first game between Jaffna Titans and Hambantota Bangla Tigers.

The competition will see six franchises, Jaffna Titans, Hambantota Banga Tigers, Colombo Jaguars, Nuwara Eliya Kings, Kandy Bolts and Team Galle Marvels up against each other in a round-robin format.

The Qualifiers and the Eliminator matches are scheduled to be played on 18th December, 2024. Team 1 will lock horns with Team 2 in Qualifier 1, Team 3 will face Team 4 in the Eliminator match while the Qualifier 2 will see the runner up of the Qualifier 1 play the Winner of Eliminator.

The title clash will be played between the Winner of Qualifier 1 and Winner of Qualifier 2 on 19th December, 2024 and will be followed by the closing ceremony.

Note to Editor:
The Lanka T10 Super League is an exhilarating 10-over cricket format, proudly organized and endorsed by Sri Lanka Cricket in collaboration with a consortium of industry leaders: T Ten Sports Management FZC (TSM), T Ten Global Sports FZE (TGS), and Innovative Production Group (IPG). Together, they are shaping the future of T10 cricket in Sri Lanka.

Announcements

Bollywood singer Vishal Mishra set to perform live at Coca-Cola Arena

Published

7 days ago

November 14, 2024

Staff Reporter

Bollywood’s award-winning playback singer and composer Vishal Mishra is all set to make his electrifying debut at Dubai’s iconic Coca-Cola Arena on November 22. Fans in the UAE are gearing up for an unforgettable evening as the maestro takes the stage to perform his chart-topping hits live for the first time in the city.

Renowned for his soulful voice and a discography brimming with heartfelt melodies, Vishal Mishra has left an indelible mark on the Indian music scene. From chartbusters like “Pehla Pyaar” and “Zihal e Miskin” Vishal’s music has captured hearts worldwide. His signature blend of melody and emotion, combined with his ability to connect deeply with audiences, promises a concert that will be nothing short of magical.

Speaking about the upcoming concert, the 32-year-old star who rose to fame with the hit song “Kaise Hua” from Kabir Singh, shared his excitement: “Performing in Dubai is always like a dream, and I am thrilled to finally connect with my fans here at the Coca-Cola Arena. Music has the power to unite people, and I can’t wait to share this unforgettable experience with everyone. I promise it will be a night filled with love, energy, and pure magic.”

A Night to Remember:

The Coca-Cola Arena, one of Dubai’s premier entertainment venues, will set the stage for this extraordinary event. Known for its state-of-the-art acoustics and vibrant atmosphere, the arena will provide the perfect setting for Vishal Mishra to bring his music to life, offering fans a front-row seat to the essence of Bollywood’s musical brilliance.

Attendees can look forward to an intimate yet high-energy experience, as Vishal performs his Bollywood Chartbusters like “Pehle Bhi Main” from movie ‘Animal’, Oscar award winning “Nacho Nacho” from Movie RRR and fan favourites such as Zihal-e-miskin, Aaj Bhi and Manjha.

With fans across the region eagerly awaiting this event, tickets are already selling fast. Whether you’re a long-time admirer of Vishal’s music or only discovering his artistry for the first time, this concert promises a night to remember for all.

Event Details:
Date: 22nd November 2024
Venue: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Tickets: https://dubai.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/94400/vishal-mishtra-live-in-coca-cola-arena-dubai

Announcements

Cricket legend Harbhajan Singh appointed as Ambassador for Sports in Dubai

Published

1 week ago

November 14, 2024

Suhani Singh

Dubai Sports Council has announced the appointment of Indian cricket legend Harbhajan Singh as Sports Ambassador for Dubai, marking a significant step in the emirate’s commitment to developing its sporting infrastructure and culture.

The announcement was made in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, along with other distinguished sports personalities including UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, tennis star Sania Mirza, and football icon Patrice Evra.

Harbhajan Singh, who has represented India in over 100 Test matches and claimed more than 700 international wickets across formats, brings his extensive experience and global influence to this prestigious role. The former Indian off-spinner joins an elite panel of international sports ambassadors tasked with enhancing Dubai’s position as a global sporting hub.

“I am deeply honored to be appointed as an Ambassador for sports in Dubai in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Mohammed and other esteemed stakeholders,” said Harbhajan Singh. “This role presents an exciting opportunity to work closely with Dubai Sports Council to develop world-class infrastructure, nurture talent, and bring premier sporting events to this dynamic city. The trust placed in me to help build a strong foundation for sports in Dubai is both humbling and motivating.”

The appointment aligns with Dubai’s vision to become a leading global destination for sports, bringing together a diverse group of sporting legends including Khabib Nurmagomedov, former UFC Lightweight Champion, Sania Mirza, multiple Grand Slam tennis champion, Patrice Evra, former Manchester United and France football star

These sporting icons will play a vital role in strengthening Dubai’s sports ecosystem by advancing state-of-the-art infrastructure, attracting prestigious international events, nurturing local talent, and promoting sports tourism. Together, they will enhance Dubai’s status as a premier global sports destination.

The Dubai Sports Council continues to demonstrate its commitment to sporting excellence through strategic appointments and initiatives that will shape the future of sports in the region.