Magnus Carlsen defeats Viswanathan Anand and draws with Ian Nepomniachtchi in the Global Chess League

Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand squared off in the second half of the second day of the Global Chess League when the SG Alpine Warriors faced the Ganges Grandmasters. Carlsen played in his first GCL match against Ian Nepomniachtchi, and the match finished in a draw.

After winning the coin toss in their second game of the day, the SG Alpine Warriors chose to play with the white pieces.

All eyes were on the plane as Carlsen faced Anand, the opponent he defeated in 2013 to win the world championship for the first time, for the first time in years.

Early on in the game, Carlsen took the initiative. He quickly gained an additional pawn and showed more aggressiveness, which improved his situation. Vishy Anand, a previous world champion, was playing in a difficult sport because he was defending a bad position and running out of time.

Carlsen’s situation improved dramatically after the exchange of large pieces. Anand ultimately had to concede to his old enemy.

When we play, there is always a unique touch, according to Anand. It was fantastic to play Vishy, but for now, Carlsen said, “I’m more worried about my team.” He was correct, too. For the Ganges Grandmasters’ benefit, they recovered.

Carlsen’s focus paid off as the Ganges Grandmasters staged an incredible comeback and won games on boards two and five.

Bela Khotenashvili beat Elisabeth Paehtz, while Richard Rapport easily overcame GM Gukesh. Despite their defeat on board one, the Ganges Grandmasters destroyed the SG Alpine Warriors with a total score of 11 to 6. The following three games were in draws.

Ganges Grandmasters 11 (Game Points) defeated SG Alpine Warriors 6 (Game Points) to win the match.

An earlier GCL match pitted Carlsen against Nepomniachtchi, a two-time contender for the world championship.

The SG Alpine Warriors and Balan Alaskan Knights teams went head-to-head initially. The Warriors won the game by a score of 9 to 7.

The current rapid and blitz world champion and top-rated player in the world, Magnus Carlsen, and the two-time world champion contender, Nepomniachtchi, competed in the match for the first time in the GCL.

The game was mostly peaceful and ended quite fast in a draw, which was not the case for the other games.

Teimour Radjabov’s victory as black gave the Knights a sizable edge, giving them four essential points. Luckily for the Warriors, they recovered and earned two wins for a total of six points.

Warriors won 8-6 after draws on two more boards.

It came down to the last game between Gukesh D, an Indian chess prodigy, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the world champion in 2021 fast play. Abdusattorov pushed hard right away, but Gukesh was able to maintain his position, securing his team’s win with a 9-7 final score.

Although I had a little advantage, things were generally level. I hoped to play a game that was more fascinating, but this one turned out the way it did,” Carlsen stated.

The Chingari Gulf Titans faced the Triveni Continental Kings in game four as the white team. Both had lost their first match and were searching for their first win.

Titans had a solid start to the game thanks to their players’ ability to establish stronger positions and take initiative.

The Titans got off to a strong start with to Nihal Sarin’s stunning win against Jonas Buhl Bjere. Daniil Dubov made a blunder during a difficult game, but Wei Yi scored as black to help the Triveni Continental Kings rally.

Wei Yi’s win was essential to give them an overall advantage of 8:7 in the match since the other four games—including one involving heavyweights Jan-Krzystof Duda and Levon Aronian—ended in draws.

Match 6: Triveni Continental Kings vs. Balan Alaskan Knights

The games were difficult and both teams gave it their all. Nino Batsiashvili lost against one of the best Indian female players in the world, Harika Dronavalli, after making a mistake as early as the eighth move. Tan Zhongyi and Raunak Sadhwani both achieved triumphs, giving their side an early eight-point advantage, although Batsiashvili was able to hold on.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Ian Nepomniachtchi, two elite players, drew, putting the onus on Grischuk and Vidit to save upGrad Mumba Masters. Grischuk found himself in difficulty with time early, as is often the case. He was able to hold on, but ultimately he played poorly and lost. When Dronavalli eventually defeated Batsiashvili, it was obvious that the Balan Alaskan Knights had won the game.

Even though the contest had a clear winner, the game was far from over. Although Vidit Gujrathi of the upGrad Mumba Masters was able to defeat Teimour Radjabov, he was in serious time danger. After a series of erratic maneuvers in which Radjabov was creating difficulties and retaliating, Vidit eventually faltered. After 123 moves, there was a draw in the game.

The Balan Alaskan Knights won the game with a final score of 14:5.

Day summary for June 23, 2023

Match 3

Balan Alaskan Knights lose against the SG Alpine Warriors 9–7.

Irina Krush was the winner of the game.

Teimour Radjabov was the winner of the game.

Match 4

Chingari Gulf Titans lose to the Triveni Continental Kings 8–7.

Polina Shuvalova was the winner of the game.

Wei Yi was the game’s champion.

Match 5

Alpine Warriors fall to Ganges Grandmasters 11–6.

Bella Khotenashvili was the winner of the game.

Richard Rapport was the winner of the game.

Match 6

Balan Alaskan Knights defeat Mumba Masters with a score of 14 to 5.

Harika Dronavalli was the winner of the game.

Raunak Sadhwani was the winner of the game.