GCL 2026 Day 4: Triveni Continental Kings Bounce Back; Ganges Grandmasters Secure Thrilling Win

by Devansh Singh - 09/09/2026

Two-time champion Triveni Continental Kings are making a comeback at Global Chess League Season 4. After losing their first 3 games, they scored 2 consecutive wins in the 4th and 5th match. On the 4th Day of GCL 2026, Triveni defeated the fan favourite Alpine APL Pipers with a huge margin of 10-4. After 4 days of action, all the teams are still in a race for the title, as 4 teams are on 9 Match points and 2 teams are on 6 match points. Photos: Global Chess League

Leon Claims an Illegal

Illegal Move and 1 Second?

An interesting incident happened in the 1st game of Day 5. Ganges Grandmasters were facing PBG Alaskan Knights, and the Knights were leading 9-8. There was only 1 game left, and it was between Abhimanyu Mishra of the Knights and Leon Mendonca of the Grandmasters. Abhimanyu was clearly winning, but under time pressure, he made an illegal move (captured a piece but didn't remove it from the board and pressed the clock after promoting a new queen). The arbiter ruled it an illegal move, and Abhimanyu had to capture a piece, promote a queen, and press the clock in 1 second. Physically, it is not possible, and he lost on time.

The Arbiter was called! In this video, we show you what exactly went down.

Let's have a look at the points table

FYERS American Gambits in the Lead

Now Let's dive into a match-by-match breakdown of Day 4

Match 13: Ganges Grandmasters vs. PBG Alaskan Knights (12-8)

The day started with an amazing clash between Ganges Grandmasters and PBG Alaskan Knights. This match is a classic example of why this time format and point system are exciting. All 6 games of this match were decisive, and everything came down to the match between Leon Mendonca and Abhimanyu Mishra, in which Abhimanyu lost on time, and Ganges Grandmasters secured the win.

Ian Nepomniachtchi defeated Vishy Anand on the icon board

Check out the final moments of the game between Vishy Anand and Ian Nepomniachtchi

Polina Shuvalova defeated Kateryna Lagno

The dugout was watching the whole incident between Abhimanyu and Leon

Scorecard Match 13: (12-8)

Player of the match

Leinier Dominguez received player of the match after winning against Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus

Replay Match 13 Games

Match 14: FYERS American Gambits vs. CheQ Mumba Masters (6-11)

Important wins by Shakriyar Mamedyarov and Carissa Yip with black pieces helped CheQ Mumba Masters defeat FYERS American Gambits. Nihal was the only player to secure a win for American Gambits.

Sara Khadem vs. Carissa Yip (0-4)

Daniil Dubov vs. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (0-4)

Scorecard Match 14: (6-11)

Player of the match

Shakhriyar received the player of the match award for his win against Daniil Dubov

Replay Match 14 Games

Match 15: Triveni Continental Kings vs. Alpine APL Pipers (10-4)

The biggest result came in the match between Triveni and Alpine Pipers: Aravindh Chithambaram defeated in-form Vidit Gujrathi, and Pranav defeated Volodar Murzin on the prodigy board to defeat Magnus Carlsen, leading Alpine Pipers.

Alireza drew against Carlsen

Aravindh Chithambaram vs. Vidit Gujrathi (3-0)

Pranav Venkatesh defeated Volodar Murzin

Scorecard Match 15: (10-4)

Player of the Match

Aravindh recieved player of the Match award after defeating Vidit

Replay Games of Match 15

Match 16: ABG Alaskan Knights vs. FYERS American Gambits (9-12)

FYERS American Gambits came back after losing their 1st match of the day and defeated the Alaskan Knights. Javokhir Sindarov defeated Vishy Anand on the icon board. Nihal scored another win of the day and defeated Arjun Erigaisi. Another important result came on the prodigy board, where Marcandria Maurizzi defeated Abhimanyu Mishra.

Viswanathan Anand vs. Javokhir Sindarov (0-4)

Vishy Anand vs Javokhir Sindarov - this game went right down to the wire. Commentary by IM Sagar Shah.

Arjun Erigaisi vs. Nihal Sarin (0-4)

When Olympiad buddies go all out | Arjun Erigaisi vs Nihal Sarin

Scorecard: Match 16 (9-12)

Player of the Match

Javokhir Sindarov for his win against Vishy

Replay Games of Match 16

Results and Pairings

Results: Day 4 | Graphic: Global Chess League

Schedule: Day 5 | Graphic: Global Chess League

Standings

Standings after Day 4 | Graphic: Global Chess League

Format & Scoring at a Glance

6 Franchises, Double Round-Robin: Top teams battle through league play to determine the finalists.
Synchronized 6-Board Matches: 1 Icon, 2 Superstar Men, 2 Superstar Women, and 1 Prodigy per squad.
Unified Colors: A coin toss decides which squad plays all-White or all-Black boards.
Dynamic Points: Win with Black = 4 pts, Win with White = 3 pts, Draw = 1 pt.
Time Control: Rapid 20 minutes per player, with a 2-second increment added only from Move 41.

Photo Gallery: Here

Video Gallery: Here

Meet the bouncers and security team behind the Global Chess League 2026. Hear their stories, experiences, and what it’s like protecting chess stars like Magnus Carlsen and Vishy Anand.