India, Sept. 14 -- Ian Nepomniachtchi has waited a long time to beat Magnus Carlsen in a game that mattered. On Sunday, playing on the Icon board, the Russian GM-he lost to Carlsen in the 2021 World Championship match-powered his team, Ganges Grandmasters, to their maiden Tech Mahindra Global Chess League title by beating Alpine APL Pipers.

It's a funny thing with Carlsen and team events. The Pipers won the title the only year (2025) he didn't play the league. This time with a title defence on the line in season four and the world's best player leading on the Icon board, they tripped up.

In the two-match final, Grandmasters and Pipers drew 3-3 in their first face-off with Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi drawing their game.

In their second m...