The Global Chess League (GCL), a joint venture between Tech Mahindra and FIDE, has unveiled its roster of Icon players for the upcoming second season, set to take place in London from October 3rd to 12th.
Leading the charge is world No. 1 and five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen, who will once again represent Alpine SG Pipers. Carlsen expressed his excitement for the upcoming season, stating that the team format introduced by the GCL is “very exciting and refreshing.”
Joining the league for the first time are two new Icon players: Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Giri. Nakamura, known for his dynamic style, will play for the American Gambits, while Giri will make his debut with the PBG Alaskan Knights.
Returning as Icon players are Viswanathan Anand (Ganges Grandmasters), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Mumba Masters), and Ian Nepomniachtchi (Triveni Continental Kings). Anand, a five-time world champion, believes that the GCL’s unique format will enhance the popularity of chess.
The GCL features a minimum of three marquee showdowns each day between the Icon players, who lead their teams into battle. Each team consists of six players: one Icon player, two superstar male players, two superstar female players, and one prodigy player.
The league aims to promote chess through innovative technology-enabled platforms, leveraging 5G, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality. By bringing together top male and female chess champions in a joint team format, the GCL offers a unique viewing experience for fans worldwide.
