New Delhi: India is all set to host the third season of the Global Chess League in the month of December. After the first two seasons being hosted by Dubai and London respectively, the global event is coming to India for another season. The event, which is touted to be more than a spectacle, will run for 11 days from December 13 to 24.
The GCL has a history of witnessing some of biggest names in the world of chess like former world champion Viswanathan Anand to Magnus Carlsen. The second edition, which was hosted by London in 2024, was won by Triveni Continental Kings which won it for the second consecutive time after emerging victorious in the debut season as well.
GCL – world’s 1st franchise-based chess league
In the six-team franchise chess tournament last season, the Kings beat PBG Alaskan Knights in the final game. The GCL happens to be the world’s first franchise-based chess league which is a joint venture between the FIDE and Tech Mahindra.
Meanwhile, considering the dates of the league, it has been scheduled very close to the year-ending FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship, which is held during the new year window. FIDE has clarified that both the tournaments would be held this year in Qatar.
Apart from Anand and Carlsen, other players like Hou Yifan Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Alireza Firouzja, Hikaru Nakamura and Nodirbek Abdusattorov headline the spectacular league in the last season and the same is expected this year too. Each of the six franchises in the GCL has six players each, both in male and female. Each franchise is supposed to play a double round robin event.
With the event coming to India in 2025, it sees an expansion in chess events in the country with India hosting the Delhi Chess Tournament and the Women’s Grand Prix Event already this year.