New Delhi, Dec. 22 -- Leon Luke Mendonca's draw on the prodigy board was worth more than a win for Alpine SG Pipers as they qualified for the final against table topper Triveni Continental Kings despite losing their last league match 6-11 against PBG Alaskan Knights in the Global Chess League (GCL), a joint initiative of Tech Mahindra and FIDE, according to a release.

Alpine SG Pipers' had their fate in their own hand in their final league game as they were locked on 15 match points with Ganges Grandmasters and needed to either beat Alaskan Knights or at least score six game points to assure themselves for the second spot on the leader board one a better game point score. Pipers finished with 84 game points against 83 for the Grandmaster...