World Chess 2026: Sindarov Defeats Anand, Fyers American Gambits Win 10-4 on Opening Day of Global Chess League in Bengaluru

Opening day of the 2026 World Chess Championship in Bengaluru witnessed an impressive performance by the Fyers American Gambits team as they defeated the PBG Alaskan Knights with a commanding 10-4 score. The match highlight was undoubtedly young grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov's victory over five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand on the top board. This win not only secured an important point for his team but also reinforced Sindarov's position as a contender for the World Championship title against defending champion D Gukesh. Additionally, Marc'Andria Maurizzi delivered a stellar performance by defeating Abhimanyu Mishra, playing a crucial role in deciding the match outcome early. Team captain N Srinath's risky decision to win the coin toss and choose white pieces was handsomely rewarded, giving Fyers American Gambits a favorable start at this brand new tournament. This was the first day of competition at the 2026 World Chess Championship, an event expected to bring exciting international team competitions to Indian soil. The 10-4 result after the opening day shows Fyers American Gambits' clear superiority over their opponents, despite this being only the first steps in their championship journey. PBG Alaskan Knights' defeat, despite featuring prominent names like Anand and Mishra, exposed issues with tempo management and time pressure handling in decisive positions.