Tech Mahindra Global Chess League to Kick Off in London with World’s Strongest Players Competing

Tech Mahindra Global Chess League to Kick Off in London with World’s Top Players

London, Oct 2 (PTI) – The highly anticipated Tech Mahindra Global Chess League is set to begin in London on Thursday, featuring some of the world’s strongest chess players competing for top honors. This unique league is the only professional sports league where men and women compete together, adding an exciting dynamic to the competition.

Organized as a joint venture between Indian tech giant Tech Mahindra and the international chess federation (FIDE), the league will showcase renowned players such as five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen, former world champion Viswanathan Anand, world No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura, and rising star Alireza Firouzja, among others.

The event will also feature former women’s world champions and leading Grandmasters, making it a truly inclusive and competitive platform for players of all backgrounds. Reigning champions, Triveni Continental Kings, will defend their title against five other formidable teams in the London edition of the league.

Each team consists of six players, including an ‘Icon Player’, two world-class Grandmasters, two top female players, and one player aged 21 or younger. The teams will compete in a double round-robin format, with unique rules that add an element of strategy and excitement to the matches.

Indian players who recently achieved success at the chess Olympiad in Budapest will also participate in the league, adding to the diversity and talent pool of the competition. FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich praised the league for its innovative format and promotion of gender equality in sports.

The league will run until October 12, with matches decided based on a scoring system that rewards wins and draws accordingly. The top two teams with the highest match points will advance to the final, where the ultimate champion will be determined.

Chess enthusiasts and sports fans alike are eagerly anticipating the start of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, which promises to deliver thrilling matches and showcase the best of the chess world. Stay tuned for updates and highlights from this groundbreaking event.