She Plays to Win Lionesses, an all-female team that achieved successive promotions to Britain's Four Nations Chess League (4NCL) first division, performed strongly in the opening weekend of the new season. The team was expected to struggle in the top flight.
SPTW had aimed to continue without male players for the 2026-27 season. However, the league maintained its rule, introduced to promote women's chess, that top division teams must include at least one player of each sex.
In response, SPTW's manager, IM Lorin D’Costa, recruited GM Anish Giri, the Netherlands No 1 and world No 11, for the two opening fixtures last weekend. The Netherlands' top female player, IM Eline Roebers, also joined the team.
Giri won both of his games, and Roebers also secured two victories. Despite these wins, SPTW lost their first match 4.5-3.5 against Barnet Knights. They then achieved a dominant 6-2 victory against The Sharks 2 in the second round.
Giri's international commitments may limit his future appearances for SPTW. However, 11-year-old British women's champion Bodhana Sivanandan is expected to return for future rounds. Sivanandan will compete for SPTW Lionesses this Saturday in the European Chess Club Cup for Women in Budva, Montenegro.