Others

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.

Chess legend Viswanathan Anand has welcomed Indian cricket star Ravichandran Ashwin to the world of chess, as Ashwin becomes a co-owner of the American Gambits franchise in the Global Chess League (GCL).Ashwin's entry into chess has been met with enthusiasm by Anand, who shared a heartfelt message on social media. "Congratulations @ashwinravi99 on your exciting new venture into the world of chess! As someone who has bowled out the best in cricket, I'm sure you'll bring the same competitive spirit to the Global Chess League with the American Gambits," Anand wrote.The GCL, a joint venture between Tech Mahindra and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is set to hold its second edition in London from October 3 to 12. The American Gambits, owned by Ashwin, Prachura PP, and Venkat K Narayana, will replace Chingari Gulf Titans in the league.Ashwin expressed his excitement about joining the chess world. "We're thrilled to introduce the American Gambits to the chess world. With a blend of strategic brilliance and unwavering determination, our team aims to redefine the game," he said.The GCL features a unique joint team format, with each team consisting of six players, including two top women chess players and a prodigy player. The teams will compete in a double round-robin format, with the top two sides advancing to the final round.The league's CEO, Sameer Pathak, expressed his delight at welcoming the teams for the second season. "We have found the right partners to strengthen the league's global reach and look forward to bringing an exciting season of chess to fans worldwide," he said.The GCL's innovative format and the participation of renowned players like Ashwin are expected to generate significant interest among chess enthusiasts worldwide. The league will be aired on major OTT and broadcast platforms, further expanding its reach.

World Championship challenger D Gukesh will seek to enhance his reputation in rapid and blitz chess as he joins Vidit Gujrathi in the Superunited rapid and blitz chess tournament, part of the Grand Chess Tour.Gukesh, who is set to face Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren in Singapore from November 20th for the World Championship title, has consistently demonstrated his prowess in classical chess. However, he is yet to establish himself among the world's elite in faster time controls.In the event of a tie in the World Championship, rapid and blitz games will be played to determine the winner. Gukesh will be eager to emulate American Fabiano Caruana, who recently won the tiebreaker in Bucharest by defeating Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, and Alireza Firouzja of France.Gujrathi, who received a wildcard, will be the other Indian participant in the tournament, which offers a prize pool of USD 175,000. The event will feature nine rounds of rapid chess and 18 rounds of blitz chess.With each rapid win worth two points and each blitz win worth one point, the odds favor top seed Caruana, who will aim for consecutive victories on the tour. Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi and Alireza are other contenders who could challenge for the title.Wesley So of the United States, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France, and Anish Giri of the Netherlands are also in contention, while local star Ivan Saric and American Levon Aronian complete the ten-player field.So remains a threat but is struggling for form, while Vachier-Lagrave has yet to prove his consistency. Aronian led his team to victory in the recent Global Chess League in Dubai, but the former Armenian is past his peak. Giri has had mixed results in faster time controls and will be looking to end the tournament on a high note.All eyes will be on Gujrathi to see if he can replicate his impressive performance in the recent Candidates Tournament. Gujrathi was one of the best-prepared players in that event and could spring some surprises in Zagreb.

Singapore's Kevin Goh Wei Ming, the CEO of the Singapore Chess Federation, played a pivotal role in securing the hosting rights for the World Chess Championship between reigning champion Ding Liren and rising star D Gukesh. The championship will be held in Singapore later this year, marking the first time the event will be held in Southeast Asia since 1978.Goh's relationship with both players played a significant role in Singapore's successful bid. He has known Ding for several years and even played football with him during the Asian Indoor Games. Goh also contributed to Gukesh's path to greatness by losing to him in the 2018 Bangkok Open, helping Gukesh earn his first GM norm.Goh believes that Singapore's neutrality was a key factor in winning the bid over two Indian cities. He also credits the support of Sports Singapore, the government agency responsible for hosting major sporting events.The World Championship is expected to have a significant impact on chess in Singapore. Goh hopes that the event will inspire more interest in the game and highlight its benefits for different social groups. He also plans to create an immersive fan experience, including fan zones, master classes, and simultaneous exhibitions by chess legends.Goh acknowledges the potential for an influx of Indian chess fans and welcomes them to Singapore. He believes that the championship will be a great opportunity for Indian tourists to visit the country.Singapore has seen a surge in chess popularity since the pandemic. The number of school children participating in national age group tournaments has increased significantly. Goh attributes this growth to a shift in mindset among parents, who are now recognizing the benefits of chess for their children's development.Despite the growth, Singapore still faces challenges in terms of training and funding. Goh hopes that the World Championship will help attract more sponsors and support for chess development in the country.

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, the 18-year-old chess prodigy from Chennai, has become a global sensation after his remarkable performance at the Norway Chess tournament. His victory over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen sent shockwaves through the chess world and cemented his status as a rising star.Praggnanandhaa's journey to the top has been marked by hard work, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His victory over Carlsen was not a fluke; it was the culmination of years of training and preparation. The young Indian has a deep understanding of the game and an uncanny ability to calculate complex positions.Beyond his chess prowess, Praggnanandhaa is also known for his humility and respect for his opponents. He has a close relationship with Carlsen, who has praised Praggnanandhaa's talent and sportsmanship. The two players share a mutual respect and admiration, which has made their rivalry one of the most compelling in chess history.Praggnanandhaa's success has not only brought him fame but has also inspired a new generation of chess players in India. His achievements have helped to raise the profile of the game in the country and have shown that Indian players can compete with the best in the world.With the Paris Olympics 2024 approaching, Praggnanandhaa is eager to represent India on the global stage. He believes that chess has the potential to become an Olympic sport and is excited about the prospect of competing for a medal.Praggnanandhaa's journey is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and the support of family and friends. He is an inspiration to young people everywhere and a shining example of what can be achieved through passion and perseverance.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa's hopes of a strong finish in the Superbet Classic tournament were dented after he was held to a draw by the lowest-ranked player in the field, Deac Bogdan-Daniel of Romania. The result leaves Praggnanandhaa in a three-way tie for second place, half a point behind tournament leader Fabiano Caruana of the United States.Praggnanandhaa, who has been in impressive form this year, tried to break down Bogdan-Daniel's solid Nimzo Indian defense but was unable to find a breakthrough. The game was eventually drawn through repetition after 38 moves."It was a tough game," said Praggnanandhaa. "I tried my best, but I couldn't find a way to win. I'm disappointed, but I'll try to come back stronger in the next round."Bogdan-Daniel, who is ranked 267th in the world, was delighted with his result. "I'm very happy with the draw," he said. "Praggnanandhaa is a very strong player, so I'm proud to have held him to a draw."In other games, Iranian-French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja continued his impressive form with a win over Wesley So of the United States. Firouzja, who is now tied for second place with Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh of India, is now just half a point behind Caruana.Gukesh, who is preparing for his World Championship match against Ding Liren in November, played a cautious game against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France and settled for a draw.With just three rounds remaining in the tournament, Caruana is in a strong position to win the title. However, Praggnanandhaa, Firouzja, and Gukesh will all be looking to catch him and claim the top prize.

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand has once again proven his dominance in the chess world by securing his 10th Leon Masters title in Leon, Spain. The 54-year-old Indian chess legend defeated Spaniard Jaime Santos Latasa 3-1 in the finals, showcasing his exceptional skills and strategic prowess.Anand's victory marks a remarkable milestone in his illustrious career, as he has now won the Leon Masters more times than any other player. The tournament, which featured four players, provided a challenging test for Anand, who faced off against his compatriot Arjun Erigaise, the world number four, and Bulgarian Veselin Topalov.The format of the tournament consisted of four games of 20 minutes each, with a 10-second increment after every move. Anand's path to victory was not without its challenges. In the second semifinal, Erigaise suffered a surprising defeat to Santos Latasa, setting up a thrilling final between Anand and the Spaniard.In the first game of the final, Santos Latasa pushed Anand hard, but the Indian maestro held his ground. The second game ended in a draw, with Santos Latasa holding an extra pawn in a complex position. However, Anand's brilliance shone through in the third game, where he outplayed his opponent with black pieces out of an Italian opening.The technical genius of Anand was evident as he created problems for Santos Latasa that proved increasingly difficult to solve. The game lasted 45 moves, with Anand securing a crucial victory. In the final game, Santos Latasa faced the daunting task of winning on demand as black. Anand seized the initiative early on, trading the Queens out of a Rossolimo opening and securing a fine position.Despite Santos Latasa's attempts to create complications, Anand remained determined and closed out the game in 37 moves, securing his 10th Leon Masters title. Anand's victory is a testament to his enduring skill and strategic brilliance, solidifying his status as one of the greatest chess players of all time.

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa's quest for a joint lead at the Superbet Classic chess tournament was thwarted by a draw against compatriot D Gukesh in the third round. Despite having an opportunity to avenge his loss to Gukesh in the Candidates tournament earlier this year, Praggnanandhaa failed to find a winning continuation after Gukesh salvaged a drawn endgame.The Catalan opening witnessed Gukesh sacrificing a pawn early, with Praggnanandhaa countering on the Queen side. However, Gukesh regained the pawn and gained an optical advantage with his Knight against Praggnanandhaa's Bishop.In the ensuing endgame, Gukesh blundered on move 53, leading to a forced liquidation and a King and pawns endgame. While Praggnanandhaa may have found a winning continuation on another day, luck favored Gukesh, and the game ended in a draw.All five games in the ten-player double round-robin tournament ended in draws for the first time in three days. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave came close to victory against Alireza Firouzja in a Berlin defense game, but a late error allowed Firouzja to escape with a draw.The lead positions remained unchanged, with Gukesh and Fabiano Caruana of the United States sharing the top spot with two points each. Vachier-Lagrave, Praggnanandhaa, Firouzja, Wesley So, Giri, and Nepomniachtchi trail with 1.5 points apiece.Dutchman Anish Giri drew on his 30th birthday against Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi, while Deac Bogdan-Daniel of Romania held off Wesley So in a slightly worse endgame.

The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has faced a legal notice demanding Rs. 1 crore in compensation from Karun Duggal, a chess player whose career was cut short by the federation's decision to ban him during his peak.Duggal, a two-time Delhi State Rapid Chess champion, had an Elo rating of 1,979 points when it was revoked by AICF in 2010. The ban stemmed from Duggal's participation in a chess tournament sponsored by the Chess Association of India (CAI), which was not authorized by AICF.Duggal and three other players filed a complaint to the Competition Commission of India (CCI) against AICF, alleging contravention of the Competition Act. The CCI ruled in favor of the players, imposing a penalty of Rs. 6.92 lakh on AICF for anti-competitive conduct.The CCI found that AICF's restrictions on chess players to participate in unauthorized events and the attendant punitive consequences restricted the movement of chess players and placed them and potential organizers of chess tournaments in a disproportionate disadvantage.Duggal's legal notice seeks compensation for the financial and professional damages incurred due to AICF's actions. He claims that the ban cut short his chess career and resulted in the loss of sponsorships, endorsements, and professional growth opportunities.Duggal's case has gained momentum after the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) dismissed AICF's petition for restoration of appeal. This dismissal has given Duggal's case added weight.Gurpreet Pal Singh, another player who was banned by AICF, is also considering legal action. Singh, who was the National Junior Champion in 1994, had an Elo rating of 2,306 points when his rating was revoked.The AICF's actions have had a significant impact on the careers of several chess players. Duggal and Singh's legal challenges aim to hold AICF accountable for its anti-competitive practices and to seek compensation for the damages caused to their careers.