Inside an hour after their coronation as the champions of Global Chess League’s season 3, the Alpine SG Pipers players made their way to the ornate balcony of Mumbai’s Royal Opera House for a final flourish, for the sake of the fans. Along with fireworks came a twist: three champagne bottles were handed out to the players to spray into the fans like a Formula 1 podium celebration. With R Praggnanandhaa, Leon Luke Mendonca and Anish Giri looking hesitant, the champagne-opening responsibilities were passed on to American star Fabiano Caruana, Nino Batshiashvili and the team manager. A minute’s struggle with the bottles later, a gentle spray into the crowd followed, after which the players quickly moved on. All the top three players of the side – Caruana, Giri, and Pragg – shared jokes during the presentations, a camaraderie that will soon turn into rivalry as they fly out to Qatar for the World Rapid and Blitz Championship and then the Candidates, which is one of the most important tournaments of all three players’ careers. Some …