The excitement is building for the second season of the Global Chess League, set to take place from October 3 to 12 at Friends House in London. This season promises a stellar lineup as chess icons Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Giri join forces with former world champions Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand, alongside other chess luminaries like Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Ian Nepomniachtchi.
Hikaru Nakamura will be representing the newest team, American Gambits, while Anish Giri makes his debut with the PBG Alaskan Knights. Nakamura expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I followed the Global Chess League in its first season and was hooked by the format. It’s an exciting opportunity for both players and fans, allowing them to support their favorite teams. I’m thrilled to join the American Gambits and can’t wait to meet my teammates in London.”
Returning for the second season, Magnus Carlsen will continue his journey with Alpine SG Pipers. Carlsen, who competed in the league's inaugural season, shared his excitement: “The first season in Dubai was fantastic. Chess has traditionally been an individual sport, but the team-based format of the Global Chess League is refreshing. I look forward to playing with the Alpine SG Pipers again.”
Viswanathan Anand, the five-time world champion, will once again represent the Ganges Grandmasters. Anand reflected on the league’s unique approach: “The Global Chess League is a new and exciting way to organize chess, and it’s a great example of how we can innovate within traditional sports.”
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, who led the Mumba Masters to the finals last season, will continue with the Mumbai-based franchise. Ian Nepomniachtchi, a two-time world chess championship contender, will be the icon player for the Triveni Continental Kings.
Sameer Pathak, CEO of the Global Chess League, expressed optimism about the upcoming season: “With such renowned names leading each team, we’re confident the matches will offer chess fans an incredible experience. We’ll be announcing the rest of the players for each team in the coming weeks.”
The Global Chess League, a collaborative effort between Tech Mahindra and FIDE, is set to provide a thrilling chess experience this season. Anand recently praised the league’s innovative approach, highlighting it as a refreshing Indian way of organizing sport.
As the countdown to the second season begins, chess enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the action-packed games and the opportunity to watch these iconic players in action.
