Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Ganges Grandmasters Upset Pipers to Win Maiden GCL Crown
Ganges Grandmasters won their first Global Chess League championship.
They beat the defending champions, Alpine APL Pipers, in a two-part final.
The first match ended in a 3-3 draw.
In the next match, Ian Nepomniachtchi defeated chess star Magnus Carlsen after Carlsen made a mistake.
Stavroula Tsolakidou then won her game against Koneru Humpy.
That victory confirmed the Grandmasters’ championship.
Tsolakidou was also named the tournament’s best player.
FYERS American Gambits finished third by defeating CheQ Mumba Masters.
Ganges Grandmasters defeated defending champions Alpine APL Pipers 7-5 in the two-leg Global Chess League final.
Ian Nepomniachtchi beat world number one Magnus Carlsen after Carlsen made a positional error on move 28.
Stavroula Tsolakidou defeated Koneru Humpy to seal the championship for Ganges Grandmasters.
FYERS American Gambits finished third after beating CheQ Mumba Masters 7.5-4.5 in their playoff.
Tsolakidou was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 21.5 points from 12 games.
- Who
- Ganges Grandmasters, Alpine APL Pipers, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Magnus Carlsen, Stavroula Tsolakidou and Koneru Humpy were central participants.
- What
- Ganges Grandmasters won their maiden Global Chess League title by defeating Alpine APL Pipers 7-5.
- When
- The final was reported on Sunday, Sep 13, during GCL Season 4.
- Where
- The championship was held in Bengaluru.
- Why
- Ganges Grandmasters won after Nepomniachtchi defeated Carlsen and Tsolakidou beat Humpy, following the Grandmasters’ first-leg draw and league-stage advantage on game points.
- Champion
- Ganges Grandmasters
- Final result
- Ganges Grandmasters defeated Alpine APL Pipers 7-5 over two legs
- First-leg result
- The opening final leg ended 3-3
- Decisive games
- Ian Nepomniachtchi beat Magnus Carlsen, followed by Stavroula Tsolakidou’s win over Koneru Humpy
- Player of the Tournament
- Stavroula Tsolakidou, with 21.5 points from 12 games
- Third place
- FYERS American Gambits defeated CheQ Mumba Masters 7.5-4.5
- League-stage position
- Ganges Grandmasters topped the league stage on better game points
