Global Chess League launches in Dubai

DUBAI: The inaugural edition of the Global Chess League was launched here on Wednesday night.

The competition – the world’s first chess team franchise – marks new territory for the sport, as the league aims to revolutionize the game and expand its reach globally.

The 36 grandmasters taking part include former world champions Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand, two-time world title challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi, and former Blitz world champions Levon Aronian and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.

For the first time, a chess tournament will feature a new competition concept and scoring system akin to football or cricket. The first match of the Global Chess League will take place on June 22 between Triveni Continental Kings and upGrad Mumba Masters.

Present at the event were Saeed Mohammed Hareb, secretary-general of the Dubai Sports Council, Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra Group, and Arkady Dvorkovich, president of the International Chess Federation.