Players excited about two-second increment rule in third edition of GCL

The Global Chess League continues to innovate. Last year, the no-increment rule had caused great excitement and some heartbreaks in the second edition of the league.

This year there is going to be a two-second increment after the 40th move, and that would ensure a player who is in a completely winning position could still have a decent chance. The players seemed to heave a sigh of relief: “Yay,” said Anand what he told himself when he came to know of the change in rule.

The Indian players are also happy that the league has come home. “It is a great opportunity for the fans to watch all the top players in the world,” said Arjun Erigaisi. “This is an event in which the top players try to deliver for their teams, and I want to do my level best.”

The concept of men and women playing together in the team has also worked for the GCL. “This format makes the league a lot more inclusive,” said Peeyush Dubey, Chairperson, Tech Mahindra Global Chess League. “It brings in participation of a huge population of women who are increasingly playing more and more chess. With prodigies also part of the teams, there is something for everyone to watch at the GCL.”

The World No. 6 Alireza Firouzja is glad that he is playing the league in India. “I know that India is the biggest country in world chess,” said the Iranian-born French player. “So it is really exciting.”

(The writer is in Mumbai at the invitation of Tech Mahindra).