The preparations for the 4th edition of the Global Chess League (GCL) brought excitement on Monday, with Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin emerging as one of the most sought-after players. After a competitive battle, Sarin was signed by American Gambits, adding strength to a team that included 2026 Candidates champion Javokhir Sindarov.The fourth edition of the franchise-based league will be held in Bengaluru from September 3 to 13 and will feature some of the world’s leading chess players.After being named MVP in Season 2, Sarin, Who participated in the Esports World Cup and will also represent India in the Esports Nations Cup later this year.became one of the topics chosen for writing. American Gambits acquired the 22-year-old after a major tournament and assembled a young team that includes Daniil Dubov, Sara Khadem, Bibisara Assaubayeva and Marc’Andria Maurizzi.Defending champions Alpine APL Pipers have also retained the Norwegian star Magnus Carlsen adding Women’s Chess World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh, Indian veteran Koneru Humpy, Vidit Gujrathi and World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin to strengthen their defence.In one of the greatest achievements of the game, the legend of Indian chess Viswanathan Anand changed teams for the first time in Global Chess League history, joining the PBG Alaskan Knights alongside Arjun Erigaisi. The franchise also added young Turkish talent Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Nino Batsiashvili.Meanwhile, Ganges Grandmasters signed Ian Nepomniachtchi and brought back Levon Aronian after a two-year absence, while Triveni Continental Kings retained Alireza Firouzja and strengthened their squad with Aravindh Chithambaram and Pranav Venkatesh. Mumba Masters also maintained much of their success as the six teams completed their groups for the upcoming matches.
Complete Teams of Global Chess League Season 4:
- American Gambits: Javokhir Sindarov, Nihal Sarin, Daniil Dubov, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Sara Khadem, Marc’Andria Maurizzi.
- APL Pipers: Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy, Volodar Murzin.
- Ganges Grandmasters: Ian Nepomniachtchi, Levon Aronian, Leinier Dominguez, Polina Shuvalova, Stavroula Tsolakidou, Leon Luke Mendonca.
- Mumba Masters: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Vladimir Fedoseev, Carissa Yip, Harika Dronavalli, Bardiya Daneshvar.
- Alaskan Knights: Viswanathan Anand, Arjun Erigaisi, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, Kateryna Lagno, Nino Batsiashvili, Abhimanyu Mishra.
- Triveni Continental Kings: Alireza Firouzja, Wei Yi, Aravindh Chithambaram, Zhu Jiner, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Pranav Venkatesh.
