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Warriors fight their way to GCL top perch

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SG Alpine Warriors usurped Ganges Grandmasters to go into the lead after Day 4 of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League on Sunday. Also showing some fight were upGrad Mumba Masters, who were undone by India’s Praggnanandhaa R in the final match of the day when they went down 7-8 to the Warriors. The young prodigy beat Juvokhir Sindarov with black to turn the tables after Maxine Vachier-Lagrave shocked Magnus Carlsen.

The Warriors made for perfect timing new occupants on the leaderboard with brand ambassador Yuzvendra Chahal, the Indian cricketer, making an appearance at the venue. Chahal is the only player to represent India in cricket and chess. His presence added to a massive turnout in the audience at Le Meridien hotel. The Warriors had two matches on the day and impressively won both with black.

SG Alpine Warriors’ Gukesh D of Alpine Warriors lost to Shakhyar Mamedyarov of Chingari Gulf Titans in the second match of the day. Courtesy GCL

Despite having Carlsen, the highest-rated chess player in the world in their squad, Warriors were evenly matched against Masters in the final match. In time trouble, Carlsen made a fatal move towards the end directly entering a lost position against counterpart icon player Vachier-Lagrave. Magnus was in disbelief as he shook his head after the loss.

Irina Krush then made a huge blunder against Koneru Humpy, but the Masters player missed the opportunity and the game ended in a draw. However, the Masters were still in the match, pushing on the last two boards. In the end, Harika Dronavalli drew with Elisabeth Paehtz, but Praggnanandhaa was confident and won against Sindarov, securing important four game points for SG Alpine Warriors.

The day started on a bad note for Ganges Grandmasters as they lost to Ronnie Screwvala’s Mumba Masters despite starting with white for the first-move advantage. Harika Dronavalli got the first victory of the match, having defeated Bella Khotenashvili, gaining important four game points.

ALSO READ: Ganges Grandmasters in full flow

As other games ended in a draw, Viswanathan Anand managed to strike back on board one where he was playing Vachier-Lagrave. The Frenchman opted to give up a pawn in the opening but create more initiative. In a sharp exchange, the Frenchman misplayed when he put his queen on the wrong square and ended in a losing position which he couldn’t save.

Despite this victory, Grandmasters’ Richard Rapport lost to Alexander Grischuk, who became the hero of the match having sealed the victory and three crucial match points.

In the second match of the day, Warriors won the coin toss against Chingari Gulf Titans. They  opted to play as black in a surprise decision, only the second time in the tournament. The black team gets an extra point for a win.

On board one, it was Jan-Krzysztof Duda against the reigning world champion in rapid and blitz, Magnus Carlsen. It was Duda who ended Carlsen’s world record run of 125 games unbeaten and who in 2021 knocked him out of the World Cup. Despite Duda creating a slightly better position, Magnus managed to unsettle the white king and in the end went for a three-fold check repetition.

Shakhriyar  Mamedyarov was the first to score for the Titans, defeating Gukesh D and bringing the Titans three game points. However, Nihal Sarin made a fatal error under time pressure in a setback for Titans, giving the Warriors a one-point edge. As three more games ended in a draw, all eyes turned to the game between Polina Shuvalova and Elisabeth Paehtz. In a rook endgame, Elisabeth Paehtz then defeated Polina Shuvalova to secure victory for Warriors.

Balan Alaskan Knights took on Chingari Gulf Titans in a bottom table scrap with Knights playing first after winning the toss. Both teams had suffered three defeats in four matches. While the Knights managed to win one team encounter, the Titans were yet to bag their first match victory.

The Titans came out swinging from the start – both Mamedyarov and former women’s world champion Alexandra Kosteniuk gained a decisive advantage in their matches. In the match of the women’s world champions, Kosteniuk, playing as black, forced Tan Zhongyi to surrender. Moments after, Mamedyarov, also as black, defeated the 2021 world rapid champion Nodirbek Abdusattorov giving more wind to the Titans’ sails. A 15:3 result gave Titans their first win.

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Norway Chess launches Total Chess World Championship Tour with FIDE approval

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Norway Chess, the prestigious organiser of elite international chess tournaments, has officially launched a new World Championship series approved by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Dubbed the Total Chess World Championship Tour, the initiative aims to identify the player who excels across three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz.

“We are looking for ‘The Total Chess Player’, a versatile, tactically intelligent, and technically skilled athlete who seamlessly adapts to multiple time controls,” said Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and the new championship.

The Total Chess World Championship Tour will consist of four tournaments annually, held in different cities worldwide. A pilot tournament is planned for fall 2026, with the first full championship season kicking off in 2027. The overall winner at the final stop will be crowned the official FIDE World Combined Champion.

Tour Structure and Prize Pool

Each of the first three events will carry a minimum prize pool of $750,000, while the Finals, featuring the top four competitors, will award at least $450,000, in addition to performance bonuses for top scores at individual events and across the tour.

The Fast Classic format, featuring 45 minutes plus 30-second increments per move, will receive a classical chess rating, giving players the chance to demonstrate strategic skill in a faster-paced environment.

A New Era for Chess Fans

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich expressed strong support for the initiative: “Chess is already a global phenomenon, but the Total Chess World Championship Tour will bring a new title, faster formats, and engaging broadcasts to captivate both existing fans and new audiences. This complements the traditional World Chess Championship and represents a long-term collaboration with Norway Chess.”

Norway Chess is now inviting host cities, investors, and partners to join discussions about the tour, which promises cutting-edge technology, innovative broadcasts, and an exciting format aimed at broadening the global appeal of chess.

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Game on: Abu Dhabi to build a 24,000-seat, fully air-conditioned stadium

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The UAE capital is getting ready to build a massive 24,000-seat stadium, and yes, it’ll be fully air-conditioned for year-round comfort.

Set to rise in Zayed City, the new sports complex will feature retractable roofing, sustainable cooling systems, and advanced digital screens for an immersive fan experience.

Planned as part of Abu Dhabi’s urban expansion strategy, the stadium will host international matches, concerts, and community events, all in climate-controlled comfort.

Officials say the project underscores Abu Dhabi’s ambition to become a global destination for major sporting events while keeping sustainability at its core. The design uses energy-efficient cooling and solar integration to minimise carbon emissions.

This comes as the UAE continues to invest heavily in sports infrastructure, from cricket and football arenas to Formula 1 circuits, reinforcing its global sporting appeal.

So next time the temperature soars past 45°C, don’t worry, Abu Dhabi’s got you covered, literally.

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Brampton Blitz clinch inaugural Canada Super 60 title with convincing win over Montreal Royal Tigers

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The Brampton Blitz were crowned the first-ever champions of the Canada Super 60 at BC Place, cruising past the Montreal Royal Tigers by eight wickets in a dominant final.

The Blitz showcased their supremacy with the ball, as Dillon Heyliger (4/9), David Wiese (3/6), and Chris Greaves (3/16) bundled out the Tigers for a mere 69 in eight overs. Shakib Al Hasan (29 off 12) and Dilpreet Bajwa (18 off 8) were the only batters to reach double figures for Montreal.

Chasing a modest total of 70, the Blitz wrapped up the victory in just 5.5 overs. James Vince top-scored with a blistering 34 off 16 deliveries, while Martin Guptill contributed a quick 23*. Alex Davies finished proceedings with a six to seal the championship.

Blitz Storm into Final with Nine-Wicket Semi-Final Win Over Mississauga Masters

Earlier in the day, the Brampton Blitz displayed their firepower in the semi-final, demolishing the Mississauga Masters by nine wickets. Chasing 148, Martin Guptill (79 off 25) and Will Smeed (63 off 21) shared a record-breaking 141-run stand in just 6.5 overs. Guptill smashed 11 sixes, while Smeed hit eight, taking the Blitz comfortably past the target in eight overs.

Leus de Plooy (43 off 20) and Sikandar Raza (29 off 13) had provided the Masters with a quick start, supported by Shubham Ranjane (25 off 9) and Rayyan Pathan (19 off 7). Piyush Chawla’s three-wicket haul (3/23) was the highlight for the Blitz bowlers.

Montreal Royal Tigers Overcome Vancouver Kings to Reach Final

In the first semi-final, the Montreal Royal Tigers defeated the Vancouver Kings by 24 runs. Nick Hobson’s 50 off 23 balls rescued the Tigers after an early collapse, lifting them to 100/6 in 10 overs. Baltej Singh (3/21) was the pick of the Kings’ bowlers, while Jaskaran Singh, Dwayne Pretorius, and Tajinder Singh shared three wickets.

During the chase, Shakib Al Hasan (2/5) and Ryan Higgins (2/16) restricted the Kings to 76/7, despite efforts from Max Chu (25 off 10), Obus Pienaar (20 off 11), and Jaskarandeep Singh (16 off 13).

End-of-Season Awards

  • Most Valuable Player: David Wiese – 149 runs at a strike rate of 213+, plus nine wickets.
  • Top Scorer: Leus de Plooy (Mississauga Masters) – 238 runs in six innings at a strike rate over 231.
  • Top Wicket-Taker: Dillon Heyliger (Brampton Blitz) – 13 wickets in seven matches at an average of 11.76.

The inaugural Canada Super 60 concluded with the Brampton Blitz leaving an indelible mark on the tournament, blending explosive batting and lethal bowling to lift the trophy.


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