Shamik Chakrabarty, Mumbai
A double whammy for PBG Alaskan Knights, as they snapped up world champion Gukesh Dommaraju and Arjun Erigaisi at a high-stakes player draft in Mumbai on Friday. It set the stage for Season 3 of the Global Chess League (GCL), a joint initiative between Tech Mahindra and FIDE.
Wesley So, who would be making his debut in the GCL, triggered a fierce bidding battle before joining upGrad Mumba Masters, as six franchises built their squads for the new season. Alpine SG Pipers roped in Fabiano Caruana, while five-time world champion Viswansthan Anand continued to be with Ganges Grandmasters.
After Dubai in 2023 and London the following year, circa 2025 will see GCL’s arrival in Mumbai, with the tournament to be held at Mumbai’s Royal Opera House from December 13 to 24.
“We had a big task because we had to pick all six players, and we are happy that we got world champion Gukesh, along with a balanced team in the end,” Abhijit Kunte, PBG Alaskan Knights’ coach, said.
Meanwhile, speaking on the occasion, Peeyush Dubey, chairperson, GCL, said: “Bringing the Global Chess League to India is a statement on where the sport stands today. India is not only the birthplace of chess but also its most dynamic growth market, producing champions and inspiring millions. At the same time, GCL remains a truly global league, uniting players and fans from every corner of the world.”
GCL commissioner Gourav Rakshit spoke about the introduction of a players’ booth, adjacent to the playing arena, which will give fans access to backroom planning.
There were some high-profile retentions. Alpine SG Pipers retained Hou Yifan and R Praggnanandhaa, while American Gambits secured Hikaru Nakamura and Bibisara Assaubayeva before the draft. Alireza Firouzja, Alexandra Kosteniuk and Wei Yi stayed with Triveni Continental Kings following their title win last term. Indian Superstar Women Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli, as well as GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave were retained by upGrad Mumba Masters.
Chinese Grandmaster Zhu Jiner’s smashing swoop by the Triveni Continental Kings was the Superstar Women round’s highlight. It came on the heels of an intense bidding war against the room. Kateryna Lagno’s move to PBG Alaskan Knights added more star power to their list.
Global Chess League season 3 player draft event in Mumbai. Video Courtesy: Revsportz
GCL Season 3 squads
American Gambits: Hikaru Nakamura, Richard Rapport, Vladislav Artemiev, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Teodora Injac, Volodar Murzin
Alpine SG Pipers: Fabiano Caruana, Praggnanandhaa R, Anish Giri, Hou Yifan, Nino Batsiashvili, Leon Mendonca
Ganges Grandmasters: Viswanathan Anand, Javokhir Sindarov, Vincent Keymer, Stavroula Tsolakidou, Polina Shuvalova, Raunak Sadhwani
upGrad Mumba Masters: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Wesley So, Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, Bardiya Daneshvar
PBG Alaskan Knights: Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, Leinier Dominguez, Sara Khadem, Kateryna Lagno, Daniel Dardha
Triveni Continental Kings: Alireza Firouzja, Yi Wei, Vidit Gujrathi, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Zhu Jiner, Marc’Andria Maurizzi
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