Sports Bulletin Report
Dubai (UAE): The top city of United Arabs Emirates (UAE) will host the first Global Chess League (GCL) this year 2023 under the banner of FIDE in collaboration with Tech Mahindra, this was revealed by Dr. Aman Puri, Consul General of India here at a press conference flanked with Viswanathan Anand, five-time world chess champion, and Deputy President, FIDE, CP Gurnani, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tech Mahindra, Parag Shah, EVP and Head, Mahindra Accelo and Member, Global Chess League Board, and Jagdish Mitra, Chairperson, Global Chess League Board, in the Gulf city.
“As many as six teams will compete for the top honour, as the Global Chess League will be taken place from June 21 to July 2, this year 2023. A team will consist of six players including a minimum of two female players and one icon player per team. League will be competed in a round-robin format where each team will play 10 matches. Each match will feature six boards that will be played simultaneously. The top two teams will qualify for the final on July 2, “he further divulged.
Secretary General, Dubai Sports Council (DSC) Saeed Hareb said:
"Hosting the Global Chess League is a momentous occasion for us. FIDE and Tech Mahindra's vision for the league will truly bring the sport of chess to a new audience and help existing fans relate to the sport more than ever before. Global Chess League is a first-of-its-kind tournament with a team verses team format that will bring together the best chess players from across the world, representing major countries and providing a unique experience to chess fans globally. We look forward to welcoming champions from across the world to Dubai, the growing sports capital.”
Viswanathan Anand, Deputy President, FIDE said:
“Dubai has been attracting various sporting events. The World Chess Championship in Dubai in 2021 during the Dubai Expo was a big success. Similarly, I believe the Global Chess League will mark a new beginning in fan experience. Its unique team format will contribute to the growth and development of chess. The league aims to revolutionize the game by having established and emerging talent play together on the same team. All players, including men, women, and juniors, would contribute equally to their team's success. I look forward to a fantastic inaugural season.”
President FIDA Arkady Dvorkovich, said:
"We are excited to announce our partnership with Dubai Sports Council to host the inaugural edition of Global Chess League in Dubai. This city has established itself as a world-class events destination, and among many other major sporting events, it has hosted the FIDE World Championship Match 2021, which was a great success. Thanks to this experience, we couldn’t think of a better partner to deliver a memorable first edition of the Global Chess League.”
Jagdish Mitra, Chairperson, Global Chess League Board, said:
“Dubai has emerged as a major global sports and business destination in the last decade. Its significant role in bolstering the UAE's digital economy and strengthening its position as a global knowledge hub is noteworthy. This makes Dubai an ideal location for hosting the inaugural edition of a tournament like the Global Chess League. We believe that our partnership with Dubai Sports Council, the official sports governing body of the Government of Dubai, is a major step forward in further strengthening our ties with the country. We look forward to hosting a successful league in Dubai and ushering in a new era for the sport.”
