GM Arjun Erigaisi (PBG Alaskan Knights) beat GM Levon Aronian (Ganges Grandmasters) in the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2026 (Preliminary Stage), in 51 moves.
The game turned on 39.a5. Before it, Stockfish had the position as a clear advantage for Black (-2.20); one move later, winning for Black (-3.78). It was played with 0:05 left on the clock.
Stockfish wanted 39.Kf2 instead. Can you see why? And 39...Rxb2+, the engine's best reply, came straight back.
It began as the Bishop's Opening: Vienna Hybrid, Spielmann Attack.
Replay it move by move, then take the key position on against the engine.
- White
- GM Levon Aronian, 2739 · Ganges Grandmasters
- Black
- GM Arjun Erigaisi, 2745 · PBG Alaskan Knights
- Result
- 0–1 in 51 moves
- Opening
- Bishop's Opening: Vienna Hybrid, Spielmann Attack · C26
- Event
- Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2026, Preliminary Stage · Bengaluru, India
- Key move: {0}
- 39.a5
- Engine’s choice
- 39.Kf2