India Breaking News reported Ding joins new franchise in Global Chess League 2023, that reigning World Champion Ding Liren and the highly ranked Magnus Carlsen are set to compete in the first-ever franchise-based Global Chess League (GCL) scheduled for next month. This inaugural event, set in Dubai from June 21 to July 2, will feature six teams, each composed of six players including at least two women and one “idol” player.

Global Chess League 2023

Ding and Carlsen are enlisted as the “Idol” players for the league, alongside other notable figures such as Indian chess grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand and Poland’s Jan-Krzysztof Duda. The names of the other two “Idol” players will be announced later. The competition, which also features other prominent players like Russia’s Alexander Grischuk and China’s Hou Yifan, aims to present a new and unique format in the chess world.

Carlsen, who has been at the top of the world chess rankings for over a decade, shared his excitement about participating in a mixed team format event, which is a novel approach not yet seen in official chess competitions. The tournament also marks a significant moment for Ding Liren, who became the world champion in April after Carlsen decided not to defend his title.

Ding joins new franchise

The GCL, a collaboration between the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Indian IT giant Tech Mahindra, will take place in Dubai, the host city for the 2021 World Chess Championship where Carlsen secured his fifth world title. The league will operate under a round-robin format with each team playing ten games, leading up to the finals where the top two teams will compete.

This league is particularly significant as it aligns with FIDE’s aim to make chess a more globally engaging sport, integrating advanced event management strategies and promoting inclusivity with mixed-gender teams. It also plans to employ cutting-edge technology like 5G, AI, and VR to enhance the viewing experience, making it the first live-televised chess event of its kind.

Noteworthy participants include a mix of emerging talents and established stars from the international chess community, underscoring the event’s importance as a major sporting event. The Global Chess League not only aims to showcase top-tier chess talent but also to foster a new wave of interest in the sport through innovative and interactive formats.