Tech Mahindra GCL first match is just hours away

Generally on Day 0 of a round-robin tournament, Draw of Lots take place. The pairing was done already. We mentioned a few days ago that all members of one team will play with the same color, either white or black. In the rematch against the same team, the colors be inverted which means each player gets to play with white and black both. Now which team will get white/black in their first encounter against a new team? That will be decided 30 minutes before the match, either via draw of lots or similar method of chance.

Top chess journalist Peter Doggers talking about his book - The Chess Revolution which will be released later this month
Opening Ceremony of Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2024 | Video: ChessBase India

World no.3 - GM Arjun Erigaisi and World no.20 - GM Anish Giri were called on the stage to answer a few questions about the impact of Global Chess League to the chess universe. Arjun Erigaisi mentioned that what IPL (Indian Premier League) did to cricket, GCL could very well be doing the same to chess. Anish later reappeared with his team, PBG Alaskan Knights on the stage for a photograph with the trophy. He in his usual witty and joking way chimed that he is here for the content and social media, while his teammates are going to play good chess. Needless to say, Giri is going to make an impact on the board with his teammates too.

A bagpiper welcoming the players, guests and all with a charming traditional enchanting melody

Teammates - The Uzbek boys Javokhir Sindarov and Nodirbek Abdusattorov in a light mood before the opening ceremony. Abdusattorov's PBG Alaskan Knights teammates Anish Giri and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov are also in the frame

Players are amused seeing the carricatures

Day 1 matches

Match #1: upGrad Mumba Masters vs American Gambits from 1 p.m. GMT, 5:30 p.m. IST.

Match #2: Ganges Grandmasters vs Alpine SG Pipers from 3:30 p.m. GMT, 8 p.m. IST.

Match #3: PBG Alaskan Knights vs Triveni Continental Kings from 4:45 p.m. GST, 9:15 p.m. IST.

Puzzles

A few puzzles were given at the opening ceremony of interesting games by famous chess players. The question was not only to find the move but also name the players, event and year.

Position no.1 - Black to play

Position no.2 - White to play

Position no.3 - White to play

Position no.4 - Black to play

Position no.5 - White to play

Answers are at the end of the article. Watch the opening ceremony to find out who guessed which answers.

Photo Gallery

American Gambits and Ganges Grandmasters arrive at Merchant Taylors' Hall for the Opening Ceremony

England's top woman - IM Jovanka Houska was the presenter of the opening ceremony

World's most successful chess coach in history - GM Peter Heine Nielsen (DEN) arrived with the World no.1 - Magnus Carlsen

An acapella performance at the conclusion of the opening ceremony

Video Gallery

Whom did Vishy Anand pick from the history of chess | Video: ChessBase India
Reaching Global Chess League vlog | Video: ChessBase India
I would choose Kramnik as he is my idol - Raunak Sadhwani | Video: ChessBase India
Venue tour - Friends House in London, England | Video: ChessBase India
Vlog with the GCL Official Commentary team | Video: ChessBase India
Magnus Carlsen thinks Hikaru's American Gambits are his strongest competitors | Video: ChessBase India
Hikaru Nakamura on R. Ashwin and being most excited to face Vishy Anand | Video: ChessBase India
Alireza Firouzja on the role of his brother in his chess career | Video: ChessBase India
Maxime Vachier Lagrave on how he maintains his cool and beats the best in business! | Video: ChessBase India
Players find their Caricatures and React | Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2024 | Video: ChessBase India
Tania Sachdev and Sagar Shah deep dive into the Global Chess League Teams + Giveaway | Video: ChessBase India

Puzzle answers:

1. Vladimir Kramnik - Vishy Anand, World Championship Match 2008

2. Magnus Carlsen - Levon Aronian, Tata Steel India Blitz 2019

3. Garry Kasparov - Veselin Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999

4. Hikaru Nakamura - Vidit Gujrathi, FIDE Candidates 2024

5. Magnus Carlsen - Richard Rapport, World Blitz 2022

Buy tickets

Links

Tournament Regulations

Tech Mahindra Global Chess League: Official site, facebook, twitter, instagram, youtube and linkedin

Tech Mahindra: Official site, facebook, twitter, youtube and linkedin