The Alpine SG Pipers delivered a commanding performance in Match 10 of Global Chess League Season 3, crushing the FYERS American Gambits 10-4 at Chess.com. While the top boards settled for peaceful draws, it was the decisive victories on the lower boards that sealed the Pipers’ comprehensive triumph.
Top Boards Play It Safe
The marquee encounter between Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura on Board 1 lived up to its billing in terms of complexity, though not in result. After trading queens early, both players navigated a tricky endgame that eventually petered out into a draw after 58 moves of intricate maneuvering.
Board 2 followed a similar script as Anish Giri and Vladislav Artemiev reached a quiet settlement after just 34 moves. The Italian Game opening led to simplified positions where neither side could create winning chances.
Praggnanandhaa R and Richard Rapport engaged in the longest theoretical battle on Board 3, pushing their game to 44 moves. Despite some tactical fireworks in the middlegame, accurate defense ensured the point was shared.
Even Board 4 saw Hou Yifan and Bibisara Assaubayeva unable to break the deadlock despite a sharp Sicilian Defense, with the game ending in perpetual check after 53 hard-fought moves.
Lower Boards Deliver the Knockout Punch
The real story unfolded on Boards 5 and 6, where the Pipers’ players showcased ruthless precision.
Nino Batsiashvili dominated Board 5 with White, grinding down Teodora Injac in a King’s Indian structure. After winning material in the middlegame, Batsiashvili demonstrated textbook technique, converting her advantage into a passed pawn and eventually promoting to secure the full point after 73 moves of relentless pressure.
Leon Luke Mendonca produced the upset of the match on Board 6, defeating higher-rated Volodar Murzin. Playing with composure beyond his rating, Mendonca outmaneuvered his opponent in a Queen’s Gambit setup, eventually creating a devastating passed pawn on d7 that proved unstoppable. The win after 46 moves showcased Mendonca’s growing maturity as a player.
Match Takeaway
With all four top boards drawn, the match hinged entirely on the lower boards—and the Alpine SG Pipers delivered when it mattered most. Their 2-0 sweep on Boards 5 and 6 transformed what could have been a tense 7-7 draw into a convincing victory.
The FYERS American Gambits will rue their inability to convert opportunities on the lower boards, where the match was ultimately decided. For the Pipers, this comprehensive win demonstrates the depth of their squad and their ability to capitalize when the stars can’t separate.
In the Global Chess League’s innovative format, this match proved once again that it’s not just the headliners who determine outcomes—it’s the team that performs collectively across all six boards.
