The inaugural Tech Mahindra Global Chess League witnessed a classic contest between former five-time world champions and Grandmasters Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen that went in the Norwegian’s favour on the second day at Le Meridian hotel in Dubai on Friday. Carlsen, the strongest chess player in the world, experienced mixed fortunes for his team SG Alpine Warriors while playing two matches on the day.

The lead player for Warriors, Carlsen made his debut in the team format against Ian Nepomniachtchi, a two-time challenger for the world crown, of Balan Alaskan Knights before taking Anand, when the two renewed their old rivalry. Despite holding the white advantage and beating Anand on the first board, the Warriors lost to Anand’s Ganges Grandmasters. Carlsen got the bragging rights again over Anand, the man he beat in 2013 to claim the title of world champion for the first time. Carlsen seized early initiative, gaining an extra pawn and more initiative, for a better position. Anand gradually fell into time trouble.

After an exchange of heavy pieces, Carlsen ended up in a significantly better position, and Anand had to resign.

“There’s always a special touch when we play,” said Anand post-match.

“It was good to play Vishy but right now I am more concerned about my team”, Carlsen added. And he was right. Luckily for the Ganges Grandmasters, they bounced back with victories on boards two and five.

Richard Rapport convincingly defeated Grandmaster Gukesh D, while Bela Khotenashvili triumphed over Elisabeth Paehtz. With the remaining three games ending in draws, despite their loss on board one, the Ganges Grandmasters crushed the SG Alpine Warriors with a final score of 11 to 6.

Earlier, the day started with Warriors winning 9 to 7 against the Knights. Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi settled for a quick draw, which was not the case for the rest of the games. The Knights’ Teimour Radjabov won as black, earning them four crucial points. Fortunately for the Warriors, they made a comeback with two victories, securing six points.

After draws on two other boards the result was 8-6 for Warriors. Everything was hanging on the last game between Indian chess hope Gukesh, who was up against Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the 2021 rapid world champion. Abdusattorov made a strong push from the early stages, but Gukesh managed to hold his ground, ensuring his team’s victory with a final score of 9-7.