Dubai, June 22, 2023 - The inaugural edition of the Global Chess League, which aims to revolutionise chess, has started in Dubai, with the first two matches taking place.
Just before 5.30 PM local time in Dubai, when the first match was due to start, viewers from across the world tuned in to a broadcast to follow the games live on TV. In a first for chess – the game was broadcast live to sports networks on both sides of the Atlantic, from America to Australia. They were all witnessing history in the making as the first two matches of the Global Chess League unfolded on a world stage.
For the first time ever, chess employs a well-established football practice of flipping the coin to choose the side. In the case of chess, the flip of a coin was used to decide the colour of the pieces. In another novelty, the entire team was playing with the same colour of pieces, unlike in standard chess events where both teams have an equal number of black and white boards. In the new circumstances, the side playing with white pieces has the initial advantage of the first move, which might prove valuable for the outcome.
upGrad Mumba edges behind Triveni Continental
The first teams to face each other were Triveni Continental Kings, who were up against upGrad Mumba Masters.
After the coin toss, it was decided that Triveni Continental Kings would be playing with white pieces, giving a small but important edge to the team in their first match. Led by Levon Aronian, a super GM who has long been among the world’s best players, the Triveni Continental Kings played a steady match vs upGrad Mumba Masters. Despite the initiative of the first move, the Kings failed to capitalise on their advantage.
In a slightly better position and with more time, Levon Aronian misplayed and allowed Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (another Icon player of the Global Chess League) to equalise and bring the game to a draw.
The team faced another setback when Chinese Grandmaster Yu Yangyi suffered a defeat at the hands of another heavyweight, Alexander Grischuk, giving upGrad Mumba Masters an important advantage as a victory with black pieces counts as four points.
Yu Yangyi – Alexander Grischuk
Having outplayed his opponent in the Italian Game Alexander chose the simplest and safest way to capitalize on his positional advantage. After 32…Qxh2+ 33. Qxh2 Bxh2 34. Kxh2 Bxf5 35. Bxf5 Rxf5 36. Ng3 Rg5 37. f4 Rg4 38. Nf5 Nxf4 39. Rg1 Rg2+ Black slowly but surely converted his two extra pawns in an endgame 0-1
Despite Yu’s compatriot Wie Yi scoring a victory against India’s Vidit Gujrathi and earning three points, the Kings were still a point short.
Unfortunately for them, all three other games ended in a draw. It meant that upGrad Mumba Masters secured eight points while the Triveni Continental Kings ended on seven, thus losing the match, despite the initial white pieces advantage. Apart from the eight points achieved in their games, the winning team was awarded another three points for winning the match.
In the post-match press conference, Levon Aronian and Maxime Vachier-Lagerave shared their thoughts about the match and the new concept of organising chess events.
“This event is unusual for us as we are in a team with players we know well, but with whom we have never actually been playing as team members, and this event features a completely new concept,” both Levon and Maxime noted.
“I feel a lot of responsibility. You are familiar with these players but usually as opponents, not as members of the same team. Also, as the leading player in the team I feel I have to motivate others”, said Levon Aronian.
“In our team Sasha Grischuk [one of the most experienced top players in the Global Chess League] made us all feel inspired. He showed us motivation, and that is what is needed when in a new surrounding, playing a new event”, said Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.
Both agreed that this new concept brings “excitement” and “novelty” to chess, which will improve the way the game is seen.
“Both Levon and I are strong advocates for bringing the media and the public more into chess, and events like this help a lot”, said Maxime Vachier Lagrave.
Ganges Grandmasters secure a huge victory over Chingari Gulf Titans
The second match of the day was between Ganges Grandmasters and Chingari Gulf Titans. The Ganges Grandmasters were lucky to make their debut at the GCL playing with the white pieces.
The Ganges team has seasoned and experienced world players such as the legendary Indian GM and five-time world champion Vishy Anand as well as the former women’s world champion Hou Yifan. The team also has Richard Rapport, one of the most creative chess players of the younger generation, who played a crucial role in Ding Liren’s path to securing the world chess crown (acting as his second and advising him during the match for the world title).
The advantage of playing with white pieces and experience came in handy as Vishy Anand beat Jan-Krzysztof Duda, the winner of the World Cup 2021.
Vishy Anand – Jan-Krzysztof Duda
Black’s king is left alone and Vishy immediately jumps on the opportunity to launch a deadly attack. 36. g5! fxg5 37. Qxe5 Qa6 38. f4 gxf4 39. Nd5 Bxd5 40. Rg1+ and Jan-Krzysztof resigned facing imminent checkmate 1-0
Vishy’s early victory gave an important boost to the Ganges team. Hou Yifan was the second to score, defeating another former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, in a thrilling game. Those two victories were the only decisive outcomes of the match, as the other four games ended in a draw.
In the end, the Ganges Grandmasters won with ten game points, while the Titans ended on four. With an added three match points following their victory, the Ganges Grandmasters have had an excellent start and have capitalised hugely on their advantage of playing with white pieces.
Vishy Anand was clearly happy after the match and excited about the prospects of the Global Chess League.
“My team started well, and that’s great. We are in unchartered waters here. This is a new vibe for chess. We all came here curious to see what will happen and how this will play out, and so far, it is proving to be exciting and promises a lot”, said Anand.
Day two of the Global Chess League will start at 2PM on June 23. Four matches are set to take place:
SG Alpine Warriors vs Balan Alaskan Knights (at 14:00)
Triveni Continental Kings vs Chingari Gulf Titans (at 15:20)
Ganges Grandmasters vs SG Alpine Warriors (at 17:30)
upGrad Mumba Masters vs Balan Alaskan Kings (at 18:50)
Text: Milan Dinic
Photos: Global Chess League
Official website: globalchessleague.com/
About Tech Mahindra Global Chess League:
The Global Chess League is the world's first and largest official franchise league of its kind, with chess players from all over the world competing in a unique joint team format. It is a joint venture between Tech Mahindra, a part of the Mahindra Group, and FIDE. The league will feature male and female chess champions competing in the same team. Playing on the popular Rapid format, the league's joint male-female teams will have the rare distinction of being a unique multiplayer team in the world of professional sports. In addition, the League will be the first ever Live televised chess event of its kind that will help offer fans a unique viewing experience. Tech Mahindra and FIDE will explore innovative ways to promote the game through interactive technology-enabled platforms by leveraging next-generation technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, among others.
For more information on Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, please visit: globalchessleague.com/
Contact:
Abhilasha Gupta, Global Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Email: Abhilasha.Gupta@TechMahindra.com; media.relations@techmahindra.com
