Chess has been making rapid progress since the COVID pandemic happened, and now the ‘IPL moment’ for chess has arrived. The Global Chess League is about to happen. A noteworthy number of World Champions will be there, along with 36 Grandmasters.
They would have to compete against one another in a mixed-gender team, which they are generally not used to.
There will be six teams in the first season. This can make a lot of difference for the sport as it traces back its roots here in India.
The country is gaining a position in chess with nine players in the best 100 classical ranking and 82 Grandmasters. Though the league has a global outlook, all six of the franchise owners are Indian.
The six teams that will be going head-on against one another are Ganges Grandmasters, which will be led by Insurekot Sports (ISPL); SG Alpine Warriors, which APL Apollo will lead; Balan Alaskan Knights, which Punit Balan will lead; Chingari Gulf Titans, upGrad Mumba Masters, which will be lead by Ronnie Screwvala, and Triveni Continental Kings.
The team owners and organizers are quite secretive about the operating costs. But Jagdish Mitra, GCL’s chairperson said that it isn’t even a fraction of what is needed to run a cricket league.
GCL has already planned the first five seasons. Moreover, the six franchise owners have committed that they will be staying for that period.
It is also planning to expand and add two more teams in the third season. Also, to make a team count of ten by the time it reaches season 5.
Have A Look:
