Nihal Sarin.
| Photo Credit: File photo
Newly-crowned Bullet Chess champion Nihal Sarin emerged as the biggest attraction at the Global Chess League (GCL) player draft on Monday, while five-time World champion Viswanathan Anand switched franchises for the first time in the league ahead of the fourth edition to be played in Bengaluru from September 3 to 13.
Fresh from becoming the first Indian to win the Bullet Chess Championship and after being adjudged the Most Valuable Player in GCL Season 2, Sarin was among the most sought-after names in the draft before FYERS American Gambits secured his services. The franchise had earlier won the race for 2026 Candidates Tournament winner Javokhir Sindarov.
The other headline move of the day saw Anand leave his long-time home at Ganges Grandmasters to join PBG Alaskan Knights, where he will partner India’s highest-rated player Arjun Erigaisi. The Knights further strengthened their squad by signing Turkish prodigy Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Nino Batsiashvili.
Defending champion Alpine APL Pipers retained Magnus Carlsen and Season 3 Finals MVP Anish Giri before assembling arguably the strongest squad of the draft. The title-holder added Women’s Chess World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy, Vidit Gujrathi and reigning World Rapid champion Volodar Murzin.
Two-time champion Triveni Continental Kings opted for continuity by retaining Season 3 MVP Alireza Firouzja, Wei Yi and Zhu Jiner before bringing back Alexandra Kosteniuk. Ganges Grandmasters, meanwhile, signed Ian Nepomniachtchi as its Icon before making another significant move by bringing back Levon Aronian after a two-season absence.
upGrad Mumba Masters retained Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Harika Dronavalli before bolstering their squad with Carissa Yip and Bardiya Daneshvar.
The six-team league will be played in Bengaluru from September 3 to 13.
The squads: FYERS American Gambits: Javokhir Sindarov, Nihal Sarin, Daniil Dubov, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Sara Khadem, Marc’Andria Maurizzi.
Alpine APL Pipers: Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Vidit Gujrathi, Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy, Volodar Murzin.
Ganges Grandmasters: Ian Nepomniachtchi, Levon Aronian, Leinier Domínguez, Polina Shuvalova, Stavroula Tsolakidou, Leon Luke Mendonca.
upGrad Mumba Masters: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Vladimir Fedoseev, Carissa Yip, Harika Dronavalli, Bardiya Daneshvar.
PBG 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.
Published – June 29, 2026 08:32 pm IST
