The inaugural Global Chess League witnessed an enthralling Players' Draft with legends Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen picked by Ganges Grandmasters and SG Alpine Warriors respectively on Wednesday.
Scheduled to take place from June 21 to July 2 at the Dubai Chess & Culture Club, in association with the Dubai Sports Council, the Global Chess League promises to be a riveting display of strategic brilliance.
The player draft, held in Mumbai, saw the participation of six teams: Ganges Grandmasters, SG Alpine Warriors, Triveni Continental Kings, Chingari Gulf Titans, upGrad Mumba Masters, and Balan Alaskan Knights. These teams selected 36 accomplished chess players from around the world to compete in the league.
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The players were classified into six categories: Icon, Superstar Men 1, Superstar Men 2, Superstar Women 1, Superstar Women 2, and Prodigy.
Viswanathan Anand, Magnus Carlsen, and reigning world champion Ding Liren, who joined Triveni Continental Kings, stood out as the top picks among the Icon Players.
One of the most notable selections in the Prodigy segment was India's young chess talent, R Praggnanandhaa, who famously defeated Carlsen. Praggnanandhaa was drafted by SG Alpine Warriors for an impressive 290 points, the highest bid in that category.
"I am delighted to be a part of team SG Alpine Warriors. From being on opposite sides of the table with most players to being on the same team, I am excited to meet my teammates and see how we can make the most of this experience and apply it to future competitions," said Praggnanandhaa after the draft.
What is the format of the Global Chess League?
The league will feature six franchises competing in a double round-robin format. Each team will play a total of 10 matches using a best-of-six board scoring system played simultaneously.
At the conclusion of the league matches, the top two teams from the standings will advance to the final, scheduled for July 2, 2023. In the final, these two teams will vie for the prestigious title of World Champion Franchise Team.
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Teams have also been awarded 3 reserve players each in case any of the regular players are unavailable.
Teams of the Global Chess League
Balan Alaskan Knights: Ian Nepomniachtchi, Teimour Radjabov, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Tan Zhongyi, Nino Batsiashvili, Raunak Sadhwani.
Chingari Gulf Titans: Jan-Krzysztof Duda, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Daniil Dubov, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Polina Shuvalova, Andrey Esipenko.
Ganges Grandmasters: Viswanathan Anand, Richard Rapport, Leinier Dominguez Prez, Hou Yifan, Bella Khotenashvili, Javokhir Sindarov.
SG Alpine Warriors: Magnus Carlsen, Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, Elisabeth Pahtz, Irina Krush, R Praggnanandhaa.
upGrad Mumba Masters: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Vidit Gujrathi, Alexander Grischuk, Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, Jonas Buhl Bjerre.
Triveni Continental Kings: Ding Liren, Wei Yi, Yu Yangyi, Kateryna Lagno, Nana Dzagnidz
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