 "Global Chess League 2024: Teams, key players, schedule, live streaming and everything else you need to know")
Chess has suddenly become a major buzzword among Indian sports fans of late, ever since the nation completed a historic golden sweep in the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest last month. And with the word suddenly becoming popular in the cricket-mad nation, there will be a lot more anticipation for the next major event in the sport.
With the world championship showdown between D Gukesh and China’s Ding Liren still some time away, taking place next month in Singapore, the second edition of the Global Chess League could not have taken place at a better time.
Chess’ answer to cricket’s cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) was off to a successful debut last year in Dubai last year and will be hoping to cash in on the recent surge of interest in India when the second edition gets underway.
Here’s everything you need to know about season 2 of the Global Chess League:
When is the second edition of the Global Chess League taking place?
The second edition of the Global Chess League will be getting underway on 3 October, with the final round scheduled to take place eight days later on the 11th.
After Dubai hosted the inaugural edition, the second season will be taking place on London.
What is the format of Global Chess League Season 2?
The tournament takes place in a double round-robin format, that is a team plays each of the remaining five sides twice, once with each colour. Unlike other team events, the entire team players with one colour in the GCL. The time control for the matches is set at 20 minutes for the whole game without increment.
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View AllThe colour of the pieces also determines the points for victory — winning with black pieces results in four points compared to three with white. A draw is worth 1 point, while a loss draws a blank. Also, a team victory results in three match points while a tie gives one match point and a loss is worth nothing.
The two teams with most match points lock horns in the final, which is played over two games with blitz playoffs taking place in case of a tie.
As for team composition, each team will have to have a minimum of two female players and at least one born in 2003 or later.
How many teams are participating in the second season?
The number of teams remains the same as the first season, i.e. six. Five of the six teams that participated last year are set for a second season, the teams being Alpine SG Masters, upGrad Mumba Masters, PBG Alaskan Knights, Ganges Grandmasters and Triveni Continental Kings.
Chingari Gulf Titans however, have been replaced with American Gambits for the second season.
Which team won the inaugural edition of the GCL?
Triveni Continental Kings were crowned inaugural champions last year after defeating upGrad Mumba Masters in the finals. They needed to win a blitz tie-break match as well as a sudden-death game.
Who are some of the players to keep an eye on in the second season?
The biggest names participating in the second season of the Global Chess League are Indian chess legend GM Viswanathan Anand as well as reigning world No 1 GM Magnus Carlsen. Anand’s is the icon player for Ganges Grandmasters while five-time world champion Carlsen is the icon player for Alpine SG Pipers.
Here are some of the other icon players in the other teams:
upGrad Mumba Masters — GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
American Gambits — GM Hikaru Nakamura
PBG Alaskan Knights — GM Anish Giri
Triveni Continental Kings — Alireza Firouzja
GCL 2 will also have several members of the Indian contingent that swept gold at the Chess Olympiad. World No 3 GM Arjun Erigaisi and GM R Vaishali will be playing alongside Anand at Ganges Grandmasters while GMs Vidit Gujrathi and Harika Dronavalli will be representing upGrad Mumba Masters.
Where can I watch season 2 of the Global Chess League live?
You can watch the live telecast of Global Chess League Season 2 on the JioCinema app and website.
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