Global Chess League Season 4 Draft: Magnus Carlsen Returns, Divya Deshmukh Debut – Everything You Need To Know

ByTech Word News

Divya Deshmukh and Magnus Carlsen (photo agency) The Global Chess League (GCL) is set to return for its fourth season with the much-anticipated Season 4 Player Draft scheduled to take place in Mumbai on June 29. The league will once again bring together some of the biggest names in world chess before the tournament kicks off in Bengaluru from September 3-13. One of the biggest highlights of the upcoming season is the return of world number one Magnus Carlsen, who missed the previous year. Another major talking point is the debut of reigning FIDE Women’s World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh, who will be making her first appearance at a franchise-based tournament.

When and where will the Global Chess League season 4 take place?

The Global Chess League Season 4 Player Draft will be held in Mumbai on June 29, while the main tournament will be held in Bengaluru from September 3 to September 13. The season will conclude with the title-deciding final on September 13.

How does the Global Chess League draft work?

The six participating franchises will assemble six-player squads through the player draft. Each team must select players in four categories:

  • One icon player
  • Two Superstar men
  • Two female Superstars
  • One Prodigy

The league follows a unique fast-paced format with six boards, where each board has equal importance, creating a balanced and competitive team structure.

Which players are available in the Season 4 draft?

Season 4’s player pool features 36 Grandmasters from around the world, including World Champions, World Cup winners, Olympic medalists and rising stars.Some of the biggest names available in the draft include:

  • Magnus Carlsen
  • Viswanathan Anand
  • Javokhir Sindarov
  • Koner Humpy
  • Alexandra Kosteniuková
  • Ian Nepomniachtchi
  • Levon Aronian
  • Volodar Murzin
  • Leon Luke Mendonca
  • Divya Deshmukh

Which teams will participate in the 4th season of the Global Chess League?

The six franchises competing in Season 4 are:

  • upGrad Mumba Masters
  • Fyers American Gambits
  • the grandmasters of the Ganges
  • Triveni Continental Kings
  • PBG Alaskan Knights
  • Alpine SG Pipers

SG Pipers Win GCL Season 3 Title (GCL Photo)

Defending champions Alpine SG Pipers will bounce back with a dominant performance in the final after winning the previous edition.Since its launch, the Global Chess League has introduced a franchise-based mixed team format to elite chess.With Magnus Carlsen returning, Divya Deshmukh making her debut and several world-class players available for the draft, the Mumbai Season 4 Player Draft promises to set the stage for another exciting edition of the Global Chess League.