Written by Tanisha Cardozo
The Global Chess League is set to return for its highly anticipated third season, and this year brings a historic first—the tournament will be held in India, a country deeply rooted in chess tradition and boasting a rapidly expanding fan base. Scheduled from December 13 to 24, the event will feature the Alpine SG Pipers as one of its most promising teams, with a carefully assembled roster of global chess elites and rising stars.
Retaining their core from last season, the SG Pipers will once again be led by R Praggnanandhaa, who was named Player of the Season in 2024, and Hou Yifan, the current World No.1 among women. These two remain the cornerstone of the team, offering a potent mix of talent, experience, and popularity.
Joining them this year are four high-profile additions. Fabiano Caruana, the American Grandmaster and former World Championship challenger, comes on board as the team’s Icon Player. Anish Giri, a well-established super-GM known for his consistent top-level play, joins the lineup as one of the Superstar Men. From Georgia, Nino Batsiashvili brings both experience and firepower as Superstar Women, having previously won an Olympiad gold medal. And adding youthful energy is Indian prodigy Leon Luke Mendonca, a player known for his fearless and creative style on the board.
The team will be coached by Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay, who expressed full confidence in the squad’s balance and depth. “This is a solid and balanced team,” Thipsay said. “Fabiano brings world-class strength, Anish is extremely reliable, and our retained players—Pragg and Hou—are already fan favorites and strong performers. Nino adds proven international experience, and Leon represents the next generation of Indian chess. I believe we are in for an excellent season.”
The league’s arrival in India also marks a pivotal moment for the sport’s growth in the region. Mahesh Bhupathi, CEO of SG – Media – Entertainment, sees this as more than just competition. “The Global Chess League coming to India for the first time is a landmark moment for the sport and its growing community of fans here,” he said. “We aim to go beyond the game by building teams that not only compete but also inspire. With this incredible lineup, we’re looking to create something special.”
With India at the center of this edition and the SG Pipers boasting one of the most star-studded squads in the tournament, all eyes will be on the action come December.
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