Global Chess League Launches Contenders Programme

Mumbai, Aug 28 (PTI) – In a significant move to elevate chess at the grassroots level, the Global Chess League (GCL) announced the launching of its new Contenders programme. This initiative will identify and recruit three top players from a global pool to join league franchises ahead of the league's third edition. The registration for this exciting opportunity kicked off on Thursday.

The 'GCL Contenders' programme invites both amateurs and professionals to showcase their talent in a multi-tiered tournament. This tournament will not only highlight emerging talent but also bring together the global chess community, allowing the winners a chance to compete alongside international chess legends.

This unique tournament aims to connect players across six time zones, ranging from India to the USA, UK, Europe, Southeast Asia, and Australia. It promises to enhance the league's stature as a truly global chess event.

The upcoming third edition of the GCL, organized in collaboration with FIDE and Tech Mahindra, is set to begin on December 13. Peeyush Dubey, chairperson of GCL, expressed enthusiasm about opening the league to aspiring players worldwide through this new programme.

Aspiring players can register on the GCL portal under the categories of male, female, and U-21. Eligible participants must have an active chess.com account with at least 25 games played. These players will then compete in 18 rapid arenas, each representing a franchise. The top two players from each arena, combined with four invited players chosen for their exceptional chess skills or impact, will form a group of 16 contenders.

The competition will then proceed to the Titled GCL Knockouts, where these 16 contenders will face off. Four winners will advance to the Challengers Knock Out round, where they will compete alongside four additional grandmasters or international masters.

The top three winners from each category in the Challengers Knock Out will earn the prestigious title of 'GCL Season 3 ambassadors.' FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich expressed excitement about the continued growth this programme promises, emphasizing its role in uniting professional and non-professional players in a unique competitive platform.

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