GM Pranesh M (CheQ Mumba Masters) beat GM Anish Giri (Alpine APL Pipers) in the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2026 (Preliminary Stage), in 41 moves.
The game turned on 32...h6. Before it, Stockfish had the position as level (-0.32); one move later, winning for White (+4.22). It was played with 2:12 left on the clock.
Stockfish wanted 32...Rxb2 instead. Can you see why? And 33.gxh6, the engine's best reply, came straight back.
The ratings said otherwise: Pranesh M was 126 points lower. It began as the Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening.
Replay it move by move, then take the key position on against the engine.
- White
- GM Pranesh M, 2534 · CheQ Mumba Masters
- Black
- GM Anish Giri, 2660 · Alpine APL Pipers
- Result
- 1–0 in 41 moves
- Opening
- Italian Game: Two Knights Defense, Modern Bishop's Opening · C55
- Event
- Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2026, Preliminary Stage · Bengaluru, India
- Key move: {0}
- 32...h6
- Engine’s choice
- 32...Rxb2