Journalism of Courage
GCL 2026: Nepomniachtchi gives Carlsen a scare before getting past Sindarov on the clock
Two-time Candidates winner shows some of his vintage form as Fyers American Gambits continue to lead Global Chess League despite loss to Ganges Grandmasters
Ian Nepomniachtchi had Magnus Carlsen in a stranglehold for a majority of their clash on Sunday, but the Norwegian, as slippery as ever, found his way out of trouble to force a draw. (GCL Photo)
Ahead of the 2026 Global Chess League, Ian Nepomniachtchi’s form was a concern for Ganges Grandmasters. Even with the experience of Levon Aronian and Leinier Dominguez Perez, they were not among the favourites on paper.
Come the fourth season, and Nepomniachtchi has got his act together, showing the class of a two-time Candidates winner. He had Magnus Carlsen in a stranglehold for a majority of their clash on Sunday, but the Norwegian, as slippery as ever, found his way out of trouble to force a draw, evading a storm of an attack as defending champions Alpine APL Pipers walked away with another win.
ALSO READ | GCL 2026: Sindarov beats Vishy Anand as Fyers American Gambits dominate opening day
Nepo couldn’t convert against Carlsen, but he went back happy after beating World Championship challenger Javokhir Sindarov on the clock as he churned out three crucial points to help his team stop Fyers American Gambits’ juggernaut. Polina Shuvalova has been the star act for Ganges, and she took down Bibisara Assaubayeva for her third straight win, handing Gambits their first loss of the season.
Viswanathan Anand’s PBG Alaskan Knights also tasted their first victory, beating CheQ Mumba Masters convincingly. For Masters, led by Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, their first win came against Triveni Continental Kings in the final game of the day. TCK, the most successful side in GCL history, are yet to open their account.
American Gambits, Ganges Grandmasters, and Alpine Pipers are all tied on 6 match points, but Gambits continue to lead with 31 game points, followed by Ganges with 25 and Pipers with 21.
Global Chess League 2026 Day 2 Result
- Ganges Grandmasters lost to Alpine APL Pipers 6-11
- PBG Alaskan Knights beat CheQ Mumba Masters 11-6
- Ganges Grandmasters beat Fyers American Gambits 9-7
- Triveni Continental Kings lost to CheQ Mumba Masters 9-10
Global Chess League 2026 Standings after Day 2
| Rank | Team | M | W | L | D | MP | GP |
| 1 | FYERS American Gambits | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 31 |
| 2 | Ganges Grandmasters | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 25 |
| 3 | Alpine APL Pipers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 21 |
| 4 | CheQ Mumba Masters | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 24 |
| 5 | PBG Alaskan Knights | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 15 |
| 6 | Triveni Continental Kings | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
Global Chess League 2026 Day 3 Schedule
- Match 1: PBG Alaskan Knights vs. Alpine APL Pipers at 3:30 PM IST
- Match 2: CheQ Mumba Masters vs. Ganges Grandmasters at 5:00 PM IST
- Match 3: Alpine APL Pipers vs. FYERS American Gambits at 6:30 PM IST
- Match 4: PBG Alaskan Knights vs. Triveni Continental Kings at 8:00 PM IST
(The writer is in Bengaluru at the invitation of Global Chess League)
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
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