| FYERS American Gambits | 7-8 | Triveni Continental Kings |
|---|---|---|
| GM Nakamura, Hikaru | 1-1 | GM Firouzja, Alireza |
| GM Artemiev, Vladislav | 1-1 | GM Wei, Yi |
| GM Rapport, Richard | 1-1 | GM Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi |
| GM Assaubayeva, Bibisara | 1-1 | GM Zhu, Jiner |
| IM Injac, Teodora | 3-0 | GM Kosteniuk, Alexandra |
| GM Murzin, Volodar | 0-4 | GM Maurizzi, Marc’Andria |
The Triveni Continental Kings squeezed past the FYERS American Gambits 8-7 in Match 22 at the Royal Opera House. In an extraordinarily tight encounter featuring four draws on the top boards and just two decisive results, the Kings’ narrow victory showcased how fine margins determine outcomes in rapid team chess.
Draw-Heavy Drama
The match unfolded in dramatic fashion with the top four boards producing stalemates. The icon board witnessed a fascinating duel between Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja. Both superstars navigated complex positions with neither able to break through. After intense tactical complications and repeated checking sequences, the players agreed to split the point in a draw that reflected mutual respect and evenly matched preparation.
Board two saw Vladislav Artemiev and Wei Yi engage in another tense battle. Through precise play on both sides, neither could crack the other’s defenses. The draw after 36 moves kept the match delicately balanced, with every remaining board suddenly critical.
Richard Rapport and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi produced the longest draw of the top boards on board three, battling through 49 moves. Despite Rapport creating threats and Vidit defending resourcefully, the game ended in repetition—a testament to the quality of play from both grandmasters.
The women’s board four added to the stalemate theme, with Bibisara Assaubayeva and Zhu Jiner fighting to a draw after 33 moves of tactical complexity. With four draws across the top boards, the match outcome hinged entirely on the final two games.
Injac Delivers the Decisive Blow
Teodora Injac provided the breakthrough moment for the Gambits on board five. Against former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, Injac played with precision and patience, methodically building an advantage. As the position simplified, Injac’s technique proved superior. She converted her advantage with clinical efficiency, advancing passed pawns that Kosteniuk simply couldn’t contain. The resignation on move 50 gave the Gambits crucial points and momentum.
Maurizzi’s Comeback Steals Victory
The prodigy board delivered the match-deciding drama. Marc’Andria Maurizzi staged a remarkable comeback against Volodar Murzin, transforming a difficult position into a winning endgame. Displaying maturity beyond his years, Maurizzi patiently maneuvered his pieces, creating threats Murzin couldn’t handle. As Black’s passed pawns advanced inexorably down the board, Murzin’s position collapsed. The resignation on move 62 handed the Kings the narrowest possible victory margin.
The Finest of Margins
The 8-7 scoreline perfectly captures this nail-biter. With four draws ensuring parity across most boards, two decisive games determined everything. Injac’s victory gave the Gambits hope, but Maurizzi’s brilliant endgame conversion on the final board snatched victory for the Kings at the last possible moment.
Championship Implications
For the Triveni Continental Kings, this one-point escape demonstrates championship resilience—finding ways to win even when most boards are drawn. Maurizzi’s clutch performance under pressure shows the team’s depth and determination.
The FYERS American Gambits will rue this missed opportunity. Leading after Injac’s win, Murzin’s loss on the prodigy board cost them dearly. In a format where every point matters, losing by a single point after being so close stings particularly hard.
This match proved that in team chess, survival sometimes requires more luck than domination. Today, fortune favored the Kings—but only barely.
