Mumbai, Dec 16 (NationPress) A thrilling finish on the Prodigy board saw the Fyers American Gambits turn the tide in their favor, achieving a remarkable comeback victory against the reigning champions, Triveni Continental Kings, on matchday 3 of the Global Chess League (GCL) this Tuesday. The Gambits triumphed with a score of 10-8, following the Ganges Grandmasters who secured a dominant 12-3 win over PBG Alaskan Knights.

In the opening of matchday 3, the Ganges Grandmasters showcased their prowess with an impressive victory over the PBG Alaskan Knights, featuring a much-anticipated duel between Viswanathan Anand and Gukesh D. The supporting matches were just as exciting, with Arjun Erigaisi competing against Vincent Keymer, Leinier Domínguez clashing with World Cup champion Javokhir Sindarov, and several competitive encounters across the women's and prodigy boards.

The match started on an even footing, with Daniel Dardha and Raunak Sadhwani sharing the spoils in a draw. However, Sindarov’s composed victory over Domínguez gave the Grandmasters an early advantage.

As the Grandmasters tightened their hold, Polina Shuvalova converted under time pressure while Keymer managed a draw against Erigaisi. On the icon board, Anand confidently maneuvered after starting with the King’s Pawn, navigating a sharp Sicilian Defence to establish a commanding position on the queenside, ultimately converting with authority. Draws on the remaining boards culminated in a decisive 12-3 triumph, marking the Grandmasters' second win in three ties.

After scoring his first point of the season, Anand remarked, “It’s great to compete against him (Gukesh); he’s incredibly combative. Honestly, I would have taken a point against anyone. Scoring my first point this season carries significant meaning.”

Later, the Triveni Continental Kings and Fyers American Gambits entered the match with contrasting momentum. The spotlight was on the icon board, where Alireza Firouzja continued his stellar season by defeating Hikaru Nakamura, achieving his third consecutive win.

Around the venue, fans enjoyed the vibrant atmosphere as Pranav V and Jose Martinez entertained spectators in the fan zone. On the boards, Wei Yi and Vladislav Artemiev fought to a balanced draw, as did Zhu Jiner and Bibisara Assaubayeva, while Alexandra Kosteniuk capitalized on a blunder by Teodora Injac, securing a crucial win for the Kings.

The turning point emerged on board 3, with Richard Rapport delivering an almost flawless performance with Black, defeating Vidit Gujrathi in a complex battle that at one point featured two White queens on the board. With the Kings narrowly leading at 8-6 as the match approached its end, the outcome hinged on the prodigy board.

There, reigning World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin showcased his skills, overcoming Marc’Andria Maurizzi under pressure, dramatically swinging the result in favor of the Gambits. Rapport, honored as Player of the Match, stated, “I am thrilled that both Volodar and I could bounce back today after yesterday. He (Murzin) performed exceptionally well.”

The day's final match featured Alpine SG Pipers going head-to-head with upGrad Mumba Masters.

Action resumes on matchday 4 as the Fyers American Gambits face the Alpine SG Pipers, PBG Alaskan Knights take on upGrad Mumba Masters, and the Triveni Continental Kings challenge the Ganges Grandmasters.