Global Chess League 2026: Key Players Absent as Exciting Draft Approaches in Bengaluru

Global Chess League Set to Kick Off Amidst Star Absences

Bengaluru, India – June 27, 2026 — The excitement is building as the fourth season of the Global Chess League (GCL) prepares to unfold in Bengaluru from September 3 to 13, just days before the prestigious Chess Olympiad kicks off in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. However, the absence of top players like reigning world champion Gukesh D and prodigious talent Praggnanandhaa R has raised eyebrows, as both have opted out of this year’s tournament.

The GCL announced its player roster on Saturday, revealing that the star duo will not be participating, likely focusing their efforts on the Olympiad, which runs from September 15 to 27. Their absence leaves a significant gap in the lineup, but the draft for the upcoming season promises to showcase an impressive array of talent.

Among the notable names set to make waves in the league is Divya Deshmukh, the reigning FIDE Women’s World Cup champion, who will be making her GCL debut. Additionally, World Championship contender Javokhir Sindarov is expected to lead the charge for Uzbekistan at the home Olympiad, adding further intrigue to the competition.

The player draft, scheduled for June 29 in Mumbai, will feature a robust pool of 36 grandmasters, including chess legends Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand, both of whom are set to return after a season away. The draft will see six franchises—upGrad Mumba Masters, Fyers American Gambits, Ganges Grandmasters, Triveni Continental Kings, PBG Alaskan Knights, and defending champions Alpine APL Pipers—assemble their teams in a unique format that emphasizes the importance of each player on the board.

“Over the past three seasons, the Global Chess League has demonstrated how a franchise-based team format can bring together the world’s leading players while attracting new audiences to chess,” said league chairperson Peeyush Dubey. “Season 4 continues that journey with an outstanding player pool that reflects the quality and diversity of talent that the league continues to attract.”

As the chess world gears up for an exhilarating season, fans will be eagerly watching to see how the absence of Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa will impact the competition, and whether the new faces can rise to the occasion in this high-stakes environment. With the GCL and the Olympiad set to showcase the best of chess, the coming weeks promise to be a thrilling chapter in the sport’s history.