Triveni Continental Kings win Tech Mahindra Global Chess League

Triveni Continental Kings surprised PBG Alaskan Knights to win the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League in front of a packed Friends House in Saturday’s final in London

Triveni shocked PBG with a 13-7 victory as Black in the first game of the event – played without time-outs for the first time in its history – before following up his surprising opening triumph with a 9-7 victory as White in the second, guaranteeing the championship and the top prize of US$500,000.

Triveni Icon player Alireza Firouzja said: “It’s amazing how chess can be so exciting. I am very happy and delighted to be part of this incredible event and show.

“As a player, I’m happy to have played without increments for the first time and I hope to see more of that.”

The newly named chess league champions entered the final as underdogs, having lost four matches throughout the tournament and needing a last-minute victory against the Magnus Carlsen-led Alpine SG Pipers to book their place in the final.

PBG, on the other hand, won eight of their ten matches in London and secured a place in the final with one round to spare.

The favorites had already won both matches against Triveni in dominant fashion, winning the first game 15-3 and the second 12-8.

However, it would be Triveni celebrating on Saturday as she overcame the odds to emerge victorious in the English capital, with former women’s world champion Alexandra Kosteniuk putting the finishing touches on by defeating PBG’s Tan Zhongyi on the final board.

For her efforts, Kosteniuk was named best player on the field.

Meanwhile, PBG takes home the second-place prize of $250,000.

Featured image credit: Michał Walusza