Excitement Builds for Global Chess League Season 4 Player Draft in Mumbai

Global Chess League Season 4 Player Draft Set for June 29 in Mumbai

The excitement is palpable as the Global Chess League (GCL) gears up for its fourth season, with the highly anticipated Player Draft scheduled for June 29 in Mumbai. This year promises to be particularly thrilling, with chess superstar Magnus Carlsen making his grand return after a season away, and reigning FIDE Women’s World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh set to debut in the league.

The GCL, a collaborative effort between Tech Mahindra and FIDE, has redefined elite chess through its innovative franchise-based mixed-team format. Following a successful Season 3, which showcased cutting-edge technology and attracted a global audience, the league is ready to elevate the game even further. The upcoming season will take place in Bengaluru from September 3-13, a city renowned for its rich sporting tradition and deep-rooted chess culture.

A Star-Studded Player Pool

This year’s player pool features an impressive roster of 36 Grandmasters, including World Champions, World Cup winners, and Olympiad medallists. Franchises will have the opportunity to build balanced six-player squads from a mix of retained stars and newcomers. The draft format will see teams select players across four categories: one Icon, two Superstar Men, two Superstar Women, and one Prodigy, all competing in the league’s six-board rapid format.

Among the marquee names in the draft are five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, 2025 FIDE World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov, and Women’s World Rapid Champion Koneru Humpy. They will be joined by emerging talents like reigning World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin and Indian Grandmaster Leon Luke Mendonca, ensuring a blend of experience and fresh talent.

A Legacy of Innovation

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

Gourav Rakshit, Commissioner of the GCL, emphasized the importance of the draft, noting, “The Season 4 draft is where every franchise begins building its squad for the season ahead. The unique format places equal emphasis on every category, making team composition as important as individual excellence.”

Franchises Gear Up for the Bengaluru Showdown

With the player pool confirmed and the retention window closed, all eyes are now on the Player Draft in Mumbai. The league’s six franchises—upGrad Mumba Masters, Fyers American Gambits, Ganges Grandmasters, Triveni Continental Kings, PBG Alaskan Knights, and Alpine APL Pipers—are poised to assemble their squads for what promises to be a fiercely competitive season.

As the countdown to the draft begins, chess enthusiasts around the world eagerly await the formation of teams that will battle for supremacy in Bengaluru, culminating in the title decider on September 13. The stage is set for a thrilling season of chess, where strategy, skill, and teamwork will reign supreme.