The third edition of the groundbreaking Global Chess League (GCL) culminated in Mumbai on Tuesday, with the debutant-laden Pipers squad clinching the title. The world's first official franchise-based team chess tournament witnessed a fascinating blend of camaraderie and impending rivalry, especially among three stars set to clash in the upcoming Candidates tournament.
Debutants and Champions Find Their Rhythm
The fast-paced rapid format featured 36 rated players, including an impressive 14 of the world's top 15 masters, spread across six mixed-gender teams. For the triumphant SG Alpine Pipers, world rapid No. 6 Fabiano Caruana made a successful league debut, stepping in for the top-ranked Magnus Carlsen. He was joined by Indian prodigy Leon Luke Mendonca as another fresh face in the lineup.
Initially, the team's core trio—Caruana, five-time Dutch champion Anish Giri, and India's Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa—were hesitant to share strategic ideas. However, once they began collaborating, their synergy, bolstered by world women’s No. 1 Hou Yifan, became unstoppable. "We’re playing a team event, which is rare and fun," Caruana remarked on his debut. "There’s responsibility to perform for your team, and even if things don’t go your way individually, your team can support you. It’s a great format."
Gukesh on Facing Vishy Anand: 'Like Playing Against God'
The final day served up a special treat for Indian chess fans: four games between the nation's two World Champions, Vishwanathan Anand and D Gukesh. Reflecting on the intense experience, the younger champion, Gukesh, expressed profound respect for his legendary opponent. "It’s tricky to play against him is what I realised," Gukesh said. "It’s like you are playing against God, I have always seen him like that. The killer instinct is tough to bring against him. I just have too much respect for him."
This unique matchup highlighted the GCL's ability to create memorable sporting narratives beyond conventional tournaments.
From Teammates to Rivals: The Candidates Countdown Begins
An intriguing subplot of the Pipers' victory is the imminent shift from alliance to competition for three of its key players. Caruana, Giri, and Praggnanandhaa, who enjoyed ten days of friendship and team bonding, will transform into direct opponents starting Friday at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Doha.
The rivalry will intensify further at the Candidates tournament next year, where all three will vie for the right to challenge the reigning world champion, Gukesh. Praggnanandhaa, celebrating the team win, highlighted their collective effort: "It feels great. I’ve been part of this team for three years, and after missing out earlier, we finally made it this year — by just one point. It’s a strong support system."
The 2024 Global Chess League successfully underscored the drama and dynamism of team chess, setting the stage for fascinating individual battles in the near future.
