Dubai to host inaugural edition of Global Chess League

DUBAI: Global Chess League, a joint venture between FIDE and Tech Mahindra, announced Dubai as the venue for the inaugural edition Wednesday.

Present during a press conference to launch the event in the Gulf city were key dignitaries such as Dr. Aman Puri, consul general of India, Dubai; Viswanathan Anand, five-time world chess champion and FIDE deputy president; CP Gurnani, managing director and CEO, Tech Mahindra; Parag Shah, EVP and head, Mahindra Accelo and member, Global Chess League Board; and Jagdish Mitra, chairperson, Global Chess League Board.

The world’s largest and first franchise-based chess league will be held in Dubai in association with Dubai Sports Council, the league’s host partner.

Talking about hosting the inaugural edition of Global Chess League, Saeed Hareb, secretary general, Dubai Sports Council, said,“Hosting the Global Chess League is a momentous occasion for us. FIDE and Tech Mahindra’s vision for the league will truly bring the sport of chess to a new audience and help existing fans relate to the sport more than ever before. Global Chess League is a first-of-its-kind tournament with a team vs. team format that will bring together the best chess players from across the world, representing major countries and providing a unique experience to chess fans globally. We look forward to welcoming champions from across the world to Dubai, the growing sports capital.”

The GCL will draw the world’s attention to a new chess format and create an ecosystem for the sport, providing a platform for champions worldwide to showcase the potential of chess.

Anand said, ” Dubai has been attracting various sporting events. The World Chess Championship in Dubai in 2021 during the Dubai Expo was a big success.