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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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Royal Champs announce star-studded squad for Abu Dhabi T10 debut

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The Abu Dhabi T10 is set to welcome an exciting new entrant this season, Royal Champs, a team built on talent, tenacity and international flair. Led by cricketing legends and rising stars, the Royal Champs promise to bring a bold new energy to the fastest format of cricket.

The squad boasts a powerhouse lineup that blends global experience with emerging brilliance.

From England’s dynamic opener Jason Roy to Sri Lanka’s stalwart Angelo Mathews, Bangladesh’s talismanic all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, and Australia’s explosive Daniel Sams — the Royal Champs are primed to make an immediate impact.

The team’s complete roster includes: Jason Roy, Angelo Mathews, Shakib Al Hasan, Chris Jordan, Daniel Sams, Mohammad Shehzad, Niroshan Dickwella, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Dawson, Brandon McMullen, Isuru Udana, Quentin Sampson, Rahul Chopra, Haider Razzaq, Zahid Ali, Kelvin Pitman, Vishen Halambage, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi, and Aaron Jones.

At the helm is Head Coach Sir Courtney Walsh, one of the most respected figures in world cricket, who brings decades of international experience, leadership and an unwavering belief in the game’s evolving dynamics. Head Coach Sir Courtney Walsh share, “The Royal Champs are more than just a new team, we are a statement of intent. This squad has the right mix of skill, fearlessness and adaptability to thrive in the high-octane T10 format. Our goal is simple — to play bold, entertain fans and compete with heart and integrity”

“T10 is redefining modern cricket, and the Royal Champs are here to be part of that evolution. Every player in this line-up brings something unique, and I believe our balance of experience and flair will make us a formidable force.” Head Coach Courtney Walsh added

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Abu Dhabi T10 2025 kicks off on November 18 with title holders Deccan Gladiators facing Delhi Bulls

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Cricket fans, get ready for a non-stop thrill ride. The 2025 Abu Dhabi T10 is set to return this November, bringing with it two action-packed weeks of explosive cricketing entertainment. The tournament runs from November 18 to November 30, promising big hits, bold plays, and some of the biggest names in the game.

The season opener will see Quetta Qavalry take on Northern Warriors, setting the stage for what’s sure to be an electrifying start. Later that day, defending champions Deccan Gladiators will begin their title defence against the Delhi Bulls, a clash that’s already generating plenty of buzz among fans.

The Abu Dhabi T10 will follow its signature Round-Robin format, where all teams face each other in the league stage before the top four advance to the playoffs. Qualifier 1, featuring the top two sides, will take place on November 29, with the winner heading straight to the final. The losing team will get another shot in Qualifier 2, where they’ll face the winner of the Eliminator, played between the third and fourth-ranked teams.

The grand finale, set for November 30, will be followed by a closing ceremony, celebrating the champions and the excitement the T10 format continues to deliver year after year.

Known for its lightning-fast pace and star-studded line-ups, the Abu Dhabi T10 has become a fan favourite, where every ball, boundary, and wicket counts.

Fans can check out the full match schedule and ticket details on the official tournament website (www.t10league.com)

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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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