Global Chess League 2025 round 5 just turned up the heat. The two-time champions, Triveni Continental Kings, grabbed the sole lead with a solid 9-5 win over upGrad Mumba Masters in the top-table clash. At the halfway mark of the double round-robin in Mumbai’s Royal Opera House, they sit pretty on 12 match points, leaving their rivals chasing shadows.
Global Chess League 2025: Continental Kings Now At Sole Lead
The Global Chess League 2025 was electric from the start, with all eyes on Alireza Firouzja, the Kings’ unstoppable force. Firouzja notched his fifth straight win, taking down compatriot Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in a key board-one battle. The other games ended in draws, but that single point proved decisive, handing the Kings the edge they needed. Firouzja’s streak, now perfect against top rivals, has been pure dominance, reminding everyone why he’s a title threat every time he sits down.
Meanwhile, the rest of the field scrambled to keep pace. PBG Alaskan Knights finally broke their winless streak, crushing Alpine SG Pipers 12-8 behind World Champion D Gukesh and World No. 5 Arjun Erigaisi. Gukesh outplayed Fabiano Caruana in a sharp endgame, while Arjun added his first victory of the event. Ganges Grandmasters edged FYERS American Gambits 8-7 in a nail-biter, thanks to Javokhir Sindarov’s Black win over Richard Rapport.
Global Chess League 2025 Standings After Round 5
This Global Chess League 2025 round 5 result shakes up the standings big time. Mumba Masters, who shared the lead before, dropped to second with Ganges Grandmasters. The Continental Kings’ strategy shone through, no flashy heroics, just steady pressure across boards. Veterans like Viswanathan Anand had set the tone earlier, but Firouzja’s fire carried them over the line. For fans glued to the action, it was chess at its tense best: calculated risks, clock battles, and momentum swings.
| # | Team | Pts | TB |
| 1 | Triveni Continental Kings | 12 | 52 |
| 2 | upGrad Mumba Masters | 9 | 56 |
| 3 | Ganges Grandmasters | 9 | 43 |
| 4 | Alpine SG Pipers | 6 | 41 |
| 5 | Fyers American Gambits | 6 | 36 |
| 6 | PBG Alaskan Knights | 3 | 25 |
Looking ahead, the second half promises more fireworks. With the Continental Kings three points clear, can Mumba bounce back? Will Gukesh and Arjun keep the Knights climbing? The league’s format, six teams battling in rapid and blitz, keeps delivering upsets and brilliance. Stay tuned as Mumbai hosts the finale from December 14-23. The crown is up for grabs, and the Kings are wearing it for now, but in chess, nothing’s decided until the last move.
Read More
Also read: Tata Steel India Chess Tournament: Viswanathan Anand vs D Gukesh in January
