The second edition of the Global Chess League, a joint initiative between the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Tech Mahindra, is set to take place in London from October 3-12 later this year. (More Sports News)
The 10-day, one-of-a-kind chess league featuring top players will take place at Friends House, located in the heart of central London.
London was selected as the venue for this season to connect with the fast-growing fan base and enthusiasm for chess in the European region. The decision, as per a press release by the organisers, was taken after receiving feedbacks regarding the venue
Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President, said, “After a fantastic response to the inaugural season, we are excited to continue our mission of expanding the reach of chess worldwide and drawing in new experiences for chess fans. Tech Mahindra’s commitment to usher in a new era in the modern chess ecosystem is commendable, and we are confident that the second edition of the league will provide the right platform and push needed to further elevate the sport.”
As per the release, FIDE and Tech Mahindra aim to revolutionize the fan experience of chess through a new format and ecosystem, providing an inclusive platform for fans to support their favourite teams and stars, similar to major global sports leagues.
The second edition will feature top players from around the world, including reigning world champions and rising stars, competing in a unique team format that emphasizes strategy, collaboration, and high-stakes play.
The format of the league is also interesting. In the tournament, the players will compete in a unique joint team format consisting of six players, including two top women chess players and a prodigy player per team. Each team will play a total of 10 matches in a double round-robin format, with the winner of each match being decided in a best-of-six board scoring system.
Mohit Joshi, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tech Mahindra, said, “Chess and business share key values such as planning, speed, strategy, and risk management. The infusion of technology opens exciting new opportunities, transforming both fields. The Global Chess League’s second edition creates a unique platform for the global growth of Chess.”
The league hopes to increase viewership even further through live broadcasts, fan interactions, and community outreach initiatives like the soon-to-be-launched Global Chess League Trophy Tour.
Peeyush Dubey, Chairperson, Global Chess League Board, said, "We will continue to leverage the Global Chess League's innovative format and next-gen technologies to captivate and engage fans worldwide. The second edition is seeing unprecedented excitement from our partners and stakeholders. Together with FIDE, our vision for the league is to bring the best from the chess world."
