The first edition of the highly anticipated Global Chess League concluded with a breathtaking grand final held at the prestigious Le Meridien Hotel in Dubai. The thrilling match between Continental Kings and Mumba Masters kept chess enthusiasts on the edge of their seats until the very end, as the title was decided through a series of intense tiebreaks.

The final match witnessed an unprecedented climax, with the teams engaging in two rounds of rapid play that ended in draws, followed by two rounds of blitz, also resulting in draws. The ultimate victor emerged after a nerve-wracking sudden-death blitz tiebreak.

In a stunning turn of events, it was the Danish 19-year-old Grandmaster Jonas Bjerre who emerged as the hero for Continental Kings. Despite being one of the less experienced players in the tournament and having faced several losses throughout, Bjerre delivered a remarkable victory when it mattered most. After a series of defeats against his opponent, the Uzbek 17-year-old prodigy Javokhir Sindarov, Bjerre managed to gain the upper hand in a drawn-even endgame that Sindarov chose to force, ultimately securing the win.

Reflecting on the intense match, Bjerre expressed, “The last game was incredibly tense. It was really exciting. I’m still shivering.” His journey in the tournament can undoubtedly be described as a remarkable transformation from “zero to hero.”

Continental Kings’ team captain, Levon Aronian, provided crucial guidance to Bjerre, encouraging him to fight and assuring him that winning the decisive game would lead to clinching the entire event.

With this stunning victory, Bjerre not only secured the title for Continental Kings but also earned the prestigious $500,000 prize. The overall prize fund for the tournament was an astounding one million dollars.

The grand final of the  Global Chess League was a riveting affair that showcased the best of both teams. Continental Kings, led by the renowned world Grandmaster Levon Aronian, faced off against Mumba Masters, steered by Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, the 2021 World Blitz Champion. The final match consisted of two rapid matches, with the condition that the winning team had to secure both matches. In the event of a draw (each team winning one match), a blitz match would decide the winner. The Continental Kings had the advantage of playing as White, determined by a coin flip.

In the first match, Continental Kings emerged victorious by a score of 9:7 after turning the tables on two boards, with Levon Aronian defeating Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in a sharp and intricate game. However, Mumba Masters staged a confident comeback in the second match, dominating from the beginning and achieving a resounding 12:3 victory over.

With both teams tied, the grand finale proceeded to a two-round blitz tiebreak, with each player allotted three minutes and a two-second increment per move. Among the twelve players in the finals, four were former world blitz champions, namely Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Alexander Grischuk, Levon Aronian, and Kateryna Lagno.

In the first blitz round, Mumba Masters demonstrated their dominance, securing confident victories on multiple boards. Despite a few draws, Mumba Masters emerged victorious in the first round with a score of 14:5. The pressure now fell on to equalize, with playing as White.

The tension was palpable, not only on the boards but also among the spectators. In a thrilling blitz showdown, launched a fierce comeback, ultimately triumphing over by a score of 13:7, thus reversing the tide in their favor. As each team had secured one win, the ultimate champion would be determined in a heart-pounding sudden-death match.

The sudden-death match featured a single board, selected through a drawing of lots. Fate decided that the first board selected would witness a showdown between Sara Khadem, a replacement player for, and India’s Harika Dronavalli. As the game began, both teams entered the playing arena, exuding camaraderie and anticipation.

The match between Khadem and Dronavalli proved to be arduous. Although White managed to gain an extra pawn, it was insufficient for a winning advantage. Both sides fought tenaciously, and despite the game progressing towards a draw, Harika continued pressing. With seconds on the clock, the game ultimately ended in a draw.

The sudden-death match continued, with board two being selected in the second drawing of lots. Former world blitz champion Alexander Grischuk faced off against one of the world’s strongest players, Yu Yangyi. In a fiercely contested battle, Yu Yangyi managed to establish a 2:1 pawn advantage in a gripping endgame. Victory seemed imminent, but Grischuk defied the odds and held on, resulting in a draw moments away from losing on time.

In the subsequent drawing of lots, the pairing for the fourth sudden-death match was determined, with board four announcing a duel between three-time world blitz champion Kateryna Lagno and India’s strongest female player and the first woman to become a Grandmaster, Koneru Humpy. In yet another suspenseful game, Koneru Humpy gained the upper hand against Lagno, entering a winning position. However, in a desperate scramble, Lagno managed to fight back and secure a draw, much to Koneru’s disbelief.

The fourth and final sudden-death pair was determined, with board six being selected. This pairing strongly favored Mumba Masters, as Javokhir Sindarov had won all four games against Kings’ Jonas Bjerre on board six. The game unfolded in a sharp manner, with Sindarov once again gaining an advantage. However, Bjerre tenaciously clung on, and in an evenly matched endgame, Sindarov declined a draw and pushed for victory. To his dismay, his decision backfired, and Bjerre seized the upper hand, ultimately winning the game. Sindarov looked on in disbelief as the arena erupted with applause.

Continental Kings, who had faced setbacks and started at the bottom of the league, emerged triumphant in a remarkable comeback, securing the title of champions in the inaugural Tech  Global Chess League.

The first edition of the Global Chess League provided a spectacular finish, captivating chess enthusiasts worldwide. With thrilling matches, astonishing comebacks, and rising stars, the tournament showcased the brilliance and strategic depth of the game.

Scores for Rapid Matches:

• Match 1:  Continental Kings vs. Mumba Masters – 9:7
• Match 2: Mumba Masters vs. Continental Kings – 12:3

Players of the Match:

• King of the Match: Jonas Bjerre
• Queen of the Match: Kateryna Lagno

King of the Series:

• GM Praggnanandhaa R. from SG Alpine Warriors

Queen of the Series:

• GM Tan Zhongyi from Balan AlGM Tan Zhongyi from Balan Alaskan Knights