GM Pranesh M (CheQ Mumba Masters) beat GM Levon Aronian (Ganges Grandmasters) in the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2026 (Preliminary Stage), in 65 moves.
The game turned on 61...Kf6. Before it, Stockfish had the position as a clear advantage for White (+2.13); one move later, winning for White (+4.41). It was played with 0:11 left on the clock.
Stockfish wanted 61...Bf7 instead. Can you see why? And 62.e4, the engine's best reply, came straight back.
The ratings said otherwise: Pranesh M was 205 points lower. It began as the Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation.
Replay it move by move, then take the key position on against the engine.
- White
- GM Pranesh M, 2534 · CheQ Mumba Masters
- Black
- GM Levon Aronian, 2739 · Ganges Grandmasters
- Result
- 1–0 in 65 moves
- Opening
- Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation · B33
- Event
- Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2026, Preliminary Stage · Bengaluru, India
- Key move: {0}
- 61...Kf6
- Engine’s choice
- 61...Bf7