Global Chess League Returns to Bengaluru with Top Players

The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League (GCL) is set to commence its fourth season in Bengaluru from September 3 to 13, 2026. This year, six teams will compete, featuring a mix of world champions, super-grandmasters, and top female players, all in a unique format designed to enhance spectator engagement.

The league, which began in 2023, aims to transform chess into a spectator sport through city-based franchises and team rivalries. Each team will include an Icon player, two Superstars, two leading women players, and a prodigy, creating a dynamic competition. The matches will utilize a time control of 20 minutes with a 2-second increment after move 40, adding excitement to the games.

This season's draft took place on June 29, 2026, in Mumbai, where teams strategized to build their lineups. Notable absences this year include players Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Hikaru Nakamura. The league's return to Bengaluru, a hub for chess and technology, is anticipated to make this season the largest yet.