GM Levon Aronian (Ganges Grandmasters) beat GM Anish Giri (Alpine APL Pipers) in round 1 of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2026 (Finals), in 41 moves.
The game turned on 35...Re2+. Before it, Stockfish had the position as a clear advantage for White (+2.03); one move later, winning for White (+2.68). It was played with 0:11 left on the clock.
Stockfish wanted 35...Rf7 instead. Can you see why? And 36.Kd6, the engine's best reply, came straight back.
It began as the Queen's Pawn Game: London System.
Replay it move by move, then take the key position on against the engine.
- White
- GM Levon Aronian, 2739 · Ganges Grandmasters
- Black
- GM Anish Giri, 2660 · Alpine APL Pipers
- Result
- 1–0 in 41 moves
- Opening
- Queen's Pawn Game: London System · D02
- Event
- Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2026, Finals, Round 1 · Bengaluru, India
- Key move: {0}
- 35...Re2+
- Engine’s choice
- 35...Rf7