World Champion Returns to Global Chess League

Posted on September 27, 2025 BY Rachit Wadhwa

The third edition of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League (GCL), set for December 13-24, 2025, at Mumbai’s Royal Opera House, marks its iconic debut in India. Organised by Tech Mahindra and FIDE, this franchise-based rapid chess spectacle features six teams in a double-round-robin format, blending some of the best players in the world with strong women stars and the up-and-coming prodigies in 6-player gender-inclusive lineups. Every team consists of:
1. Icon player (top board)
2. Two Superstar (open)
3. Two women Superstars
4. U-21 Prodigy

The spotlight shines on World Champion D. Gukesh, the 19-year-old Indian who clinched the title in 2024 and returns after skipping last season. Gukesh has been drafted as the Icon Player for the PBG Alaskan Knights, teaming up with world no. 5 Arjun Erigaisi, forming a formidable Indian duo. The player draft on September 26 in Mumbai saw intense bidding for 36 players from all over the globe. Defending champions Triveni Continental Kings snagged Alireza Firouzja while also retaining their women’s superstar player, Alexandra Kosteniuk. Viswanathan Anand leads the Ganges Grandmasters. Fabiano Caruana is set to make his debut and will attempt to fill Magnus Carlsen’s shoes in the Alpine SG Pipers. Another debutant, Wesley So, will join the upGrad Mumba Masters led by MVL.

TEAM COMPOSITIONS

PBG Alaskan Knights

  • Gukesh Dommaraju
  • Arjun Erigaisi, Leinier Dominguez
  • Sara Khadem, Kateryna Lagno
  • Daniel Dardha

American Gambits

  • Hikaru Nakamura
  • Richard Rapport, Vladislav Artemiev
  • Bibisara Assaubayeva, Teodora Injac
  • Volodar Murzin

Alpine SG Pipers

  • Fabiano Caruana
  • R. Praggnanandhaa, Anish Giri
  • Hou Yifan, Nino Batsiashvili
  • Leon Mendonca

Ganges Grandmasters

  • Viswanathan Anand
  • Javokhir Sindarov, Vincent Keymer
  • Stavroula Tsolakidou, Polina Shuvalova
  • Raunak Sadhwani

upGrad Mumba Masters

  • Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
  • Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Wesley So
  • Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli
  • Bardiya Daneshvar

Triveni Continental Kings

  • Alireza Firouzja
  • Wei Yi, Vidit Gujrathi
  • Alexandra Kosteniuk, Zhu Jiner
  • Marc’Andria Maurizzi

Alongside the notable absentees, such as the local speed chess specialist Nihal Sarin and former world rapid champion Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Magnus Carlsen will also miss the third edition, focusing on other events amid FIDE tensions. Other past players like Ian Nepomniachtchi also miss out, with new talents emerging via the GCL Contenders qualifiers. With rapid matches across six boards, GCL 3 promises thrilling rivalries and a celebration of chess’s global appeal, captivating fans in India and beyond.

It should be noted that the event is squashed between a tight fourth quarter, with Freestyle Chess Grand Slam’s final leg concluding just a day before the Global Chess League and World Rapid & Blitz championships starting the next day in Qatar, after the conclusion of this event in Mumbai. It will be a gruelling month for players like Vincent Keymer, who is expected to play all three.

Photo courtesy: Tech Mahindra Global Chess League

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