She Plays to Win Lionesses deploy elite Grandmasters in the Four Nations Chess League
She Plays to Win (SPTW) Lionesses debuted in the top division of Britain’s Four Nations Chess League (4NCL) with a 6-2 victory against The Sharks 2 and a narrow 4.5-3.5 defeat to Barnet Knights. The all-female team, which secured successive promotions into the top flight, sought to compete without male players for the 2026-27 season. However, league rules requiring top division teams to include at least one player of each sex prompted team manager Lorin D’Costa to enlist Netherlands No. 1 and world No. 11 GM Anish Giri alongside the Netherlands’ top female player, IM Eline Roebers.
Anish Giri and Eline Roebers deliver opening weekend victories
Giri is the highest rated player to compete in the 4NCL for several seasons. Last Saturday, he defeated GM Alexander Cherniaev in 24 moves with a direct attack on the king. Roebers also won her opening game in 26 moves, though lower-board concessions resulted in a 4.5-3.5 match loss to the Barnet Knights. On Sunday, Giri won effortlessly after maintaining over an hour advantage on the clock, while Roebers secured another 26-move win to seal a 6-2 team victory over The Sharks 2.
Bodhana Sivanandan pursues a historic world age record
While Giri’s international commitments will limit his future appearances, SPTW Lionesses will have Bodhana Sivanandan back for future rounds. Sivanandan played in the second division of the German Bundesliga last weekend, recording a draw and an endgame grind win. She is set to compete this Saturday in the European Chess Club Cup for Women in Budva, Montenegro. Sivanandan aims to complete the requirements for a female world age record open IM title, which would break Judit Polgar’s existing record by nearly a year. Having secured an 11-round IM norm at the Samarkand Olympiad, she requires a 2400 rating plus a seven-round norm in Budva to complete the requirements for the youngest ever female IM. Her current live rating is 2389.
Andy Woodward defeats Fabiano Caruana at the US Chess Championship
Across the Atlantic, the annual US Championships in Saint Louis reached a turning point during the fifth round. Defending champion and world No. 3 Fabiano Caruana suffered his first defeat in 50 US championship games against 16-year-old Andy Woodward, who executed a slow positional squeeze in the Queen’s Gambit Declined. Woodward shared the lead with Wesley So on 3.5/5. Meanwhile, 13-year-old Megan Paragua shared the lead in the US Women’s Championship after two rounds following a victory against the defending champion. The US tournament features a $250,000 prize fund backed by Rex and Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield.
English Championships prepare for Peterborough tournament
Domestic prize funds in Britain remain substantially lower than their American counterparts. The English Championships, scheduled to run from October 24 to November 1, will offer under £25,000 for open events despite significantly increased prizes. SPTW is currently well placed compared to the other likely relegation candidates, Sharks 2, White Rose, and Blackthorne.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 4NCL and Upcoming Events
Why did She Plays to Win Lionesses hire male Grandmasters?
SPTW wanted to continue without male players in the season’s 2026-27 renewal, but the league stood by its rule that top division teams must include at least one player of each sex. Consequently, manager Lorin D’Costa hired GM Anish Giri.
What does Bodhana Sivanandan need to break Judit Polgar’s record?
Sivanandan needs a 2400 rating—her current live rating is 2389—plus a seven-round norm at Budva to complete the requirements for the youngest ever female IM.
What prize fund does the English Championships offer?
The English Championships, staged at Peterborough from 24 October to 1 November, will offer under £25,000 for its open events following significantly increased prizes.
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