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) produced a lot of excitement on Monday, with Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin emerging as one of the most sought-after players. After a bidding battle, Sarin was signed by American Gambits, adding more strength to a team that already has 2026 Champion Candidate 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 named MVP in season 2, Sarin, who qualified for the Esports World Cup and will also represent India in the Esports Nations Cup later this yearbecame one of the titles of the project. American Gambits secured the 22-year-old after intense competition and assembled a youth team that also includes Daniil Dubov, Sara Khadem, Bibisara Assaubayeva and Marc’Andria Maurizzi.Defending champions Alpine APL Pipers have retained the Norwegian superstar Magnus Carlsen and added Women’s Chess World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh, Indian veteran Koneru Humpy, Vidit Gujrathi and Rapid World Champion Volodar Murzin to strengthen their title defense.In one of the biggest moves of the draft, the Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand switched teams for the first time in Global Chess League history, joining PBG Alaskan Knights alongside Arjun Erigaisi. The franchise also added young Turkish talent Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Nino Batsiashvili.Meanwhile, Ganges Grandmasters signed Ian Nepomniachtchi and brought in Levon Aronian after a two-season absence, while Triveni Continental Kings retained Alireza Firouzja and strengthened their squad with Aravindh Chithambaram and Pranav Venkatesh. Mumba Masters has also retained much of its successful core as all six teams have finalized their squads for the upcoming season.
Full Global Chess League Season 4 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.
- Masters of Ganges: Ian Nepomniachtchi, Levon Aronian, Leinier Dominguez, Polina Shuvalova, Stavroula Tsolakidou, Leon Luke Mendonca.
- Masters of Mumba: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Vladimir Fedoseev, Carissa Yip, Harika Dronavalli, Bardiya Daneshvar.
- Alaska 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 Kostenuk, Pranav Venkatesh.
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