GCL 2026 Player Draft. Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy to play in same team – full squads here | Chess News:
The player draft for Season 4 of the Global Chess League (GCL) generated a lot of excitement on Monday, with Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin emerging as one of the most sought-after players. After a bidding war, Sarin was signed by American Gambits, adding more strength to a team that already featured 2026 Candidates champion Javokhir Sindarov.The fourth edition of the franchise-based league will be held in Bengaluru from September 3 to 13 and will feature some of the world’s top chess stars.After being voted MVP in Season 2, Sarin, who qualified for the Esports World Cup and will also represent India at the Esports Nations Cup later this yearbecame one of the draft’s headline picks. American Gambits snapped up the 22-year-old after fierce competition and assembled a young squad that also included Daniil Dubov, Sara Khadem, Bibisara Assaubayeva and Marc’Andria Maurizzi.Defending champion Alpine APL Pipers remain the Norwegian superstar Magnus Carlsen and added Women’s Chess World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh, Indian veteran Koneru Humpy, Vidit Gujrathi and reigning World Rapid champion Volodar Murzin to strengthen their title defense.In one of the biggest moves in the draft, Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand switched teams for the first time in Global Chess League history, joining the PBG Alaskan Knights with Arjun Erigaisi. The franchise also added young Turkish talent Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Nino Batsiashvili.Meanwhile, Ganges Grandmasters signed Ian Nepomniachtchi and brought back Levon Aronian after a two-season absence, while Triveni Continental Kings retained Alireza Firouzja and strengthened their squad with Aravindh Chithambaram and Pranav Venkatesh. The Mumba Masters also retained much of their successful core as six teams finalized their squads for the upcoming season.
Global Chess League Season 4 Full Squads.
- American Gambits. Javokhir Sindarov, Nihal Sarin, Daniil Dubov, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Sara Khadem, Marc’Andria Maurizzi.
- APL Pipers. Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy, Volodar Murzin.
- Ganges Grandmasters. Ian Nepomniachtchi, Levon Aronian, Leinier Dominguez, Polina Shuvalova, Stavroula Tsolakidou, Leon Luke Mendonca.
- Mumba Masters: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Vladimir Fedoseev, Carissa Yip, Harika Dronavalli, Bardiya Daneshvar.
- Alaskan Knights. Viswanathan Anand, Arjun Erigaisi, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, Kateryna Lagno, Nino Batsiashvili, Abhimanyu Mishra.
- Triveni Continental Kings. Alireza Firouzja, Wei Yi, Aravindh Chithambaram, Zhu Jiner, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Pranav Venkatesh.
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