Mumbai, Dec 18 (NationPress) Securing the initial victory in any competition brings a sense of fulfillment, but it becomes even more exhilarating when it follows a streak of losses. Dommaraju Gukesh, the current World Champion, expressed his joy after clinching his inaugural match in Season 3 of the Global Chess League at the Royal Opera House on Thursday.

Together with fellow player Arjun Erigaisi, Gukesh rose to the occasion in a crucial match, enabling PBG Alaskan Knights to achieve their first triumph of the tournament. With Gukesh winning his opening game in the event, the previous season's runners-up, the Alaskan Knights, triumphed over Alpine SG Pipers.

Gukesh, who had faced challenges throughout the tournament, executed a precise finish to defeat Fabiano Caruana in 39 moves. Subsequently, Leinier Dominguez overcame R Praggnanandhaa, and Kateryna Lagno secured a victory over Hou Yifan, finalizing the score.

Reflecting on his first win in GCL, Gukesh stated, "It’s a very special feeling to achieve my first victory. From the beginning, we felt in control, although some elements became complicated towards the end. Observing the other boards, Dominguez's game appeared roughly equal, possibly slightly advantageous for him, so I realized I needed to strive for a win. At that point, I already had favorable chances, and my opponent was starting to run low on options."

Regarding his match on Thursday against Fabiano Caruana, Gukesh commented, "The position was relatively even. He was doing fine after the opening, yet there was always a hint of tension. Eventually, he struggled to devise a clear strategy, and I began to gain significant momentum."

While competing at the Opera House, Gukesh and his teammates enjoyed some leisure time at Marine Drive, taking walks to unwind after a demanding match.

"After a challenging day, it was refreshing to momentarily set chess aside. We ventured out as a team and reminded ourselves that we win and lose together. We discussed various subjects, relaxed, and I genuinely had a lot of fun," Gukesh shared during his post-victory media interaction.

Speaking about the pressure he faced during critical moments, Gukesh remarked, "It actually simplified matters. I merely had to play quickly, and the position nearly unfolded on its own. Winning in a clutch scenario always feels rewarding, even if it wasn't the most formidable challenge."

Gukesh is relishing the enthusiastic crowd support at the Global Chess League (GCL) venue in the Royal Opera House, where the loud cheers following his victory resonated. The Grandmaster from Chennai noted, "I was acknowledging the audience. The cheering today was exceptionally loud — surpassing any previous day. Seeing so many children in the audience truly inspired me. I felt compelled not to underperform."

He also highlighted that the venue's popularity is partly due to local coaches bringing their students. "Many coaches attended with their students from various academies. Before the match, Arjun and I even joked that with so many people present, it was time to start winning," he added.