The Fyers
The atmosphere at the venue was electric, with local supporters frequently breaking the silence to cheer on the Gambits. The team rewarded that enthusiasm by dismantling the Alaskan Knights 10-4 in their first outing, followed by a clinical 15-4 demolition of the Triveni Continental Kings, a side historically regarded as the most successful in the league's short history.
Mixed Fortunes for Defending Champions and Contenders
While the Gambits dominated the headlines, the opening day also featured the return of world number one
It was a difficult day for the Triveni Continental Kings, who struggled to find their rhythm. In addition to their heavy loss against the Gambits, the Kings suffered a narrow 9-10 defeat at the hands of the Ganges Grandmasters. The Kings will now look to regroup during the remainder of the double round-robin stage to salvage their campaign.
In other action, the Fyers American Gambits' success was built on a balanced team effort. Against the Alaskan Knights, Javokhir Sindarov defeated Viswanathan Anand, while Marc-Andria Maurizzi secured a win against Abhimanyu Mishra. Their momentum continued against the Kings, where Nihal Sarin and Daniil Dubov claimed key victories. As the tournament progresses, the Gambits have firmly established themselves as the team to beat, while other franchises face the pressure of an early-season recovery.
