Global Chess league a great opportunity to attract new fans: Viswanathan Anand

With less than a month left before the Global Chess League legendary Indian Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand said while the first season captured the imaginations of the global chess community, the upcoming season is poised to be more exciting with "absolutely elite" competition.

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The competition will take place between October 3 and October 12 in London, and the five-time World Champion opened up on his reasons for returning to the tournament this year.

"I remember clearly how much fun the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League was last year in Dubai, and I am very excited about the second season. Most of the world's best players took part in the initial edition.

Notably, one player whose presence everyone is looking forward to has also joined this year - Hikaru Nakamura," Anand said.

Anand will continue in his role as the Icon Player for the Ganges Grandmasters this season. He will compete against Magnus Carlsen (Alpine SG Pipers), Hikaru Nakamura (American Gambits), Anish Giri (PBG Alaskan Knights), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (upGrad Mumba Masters), and Ian Nepomniachtchi (Triveni Continental Kings).

"The teams have had a chance to rejig their compositions. They have learned from the past season and have strengthened themselves. I think the second season will be even better as the level of competition is absolutely elite," he added.