The Global Chess League (GCL) Season 4 Player Draft generated a lot of excitement on Monday, with Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin emerging as one of the most sought-after players. After the bidding war, Sarin signed with American Gambits, adding additional strength to a team that already includes 2026 champion contender Javokhir Sindarov.The fourth edition of the franchise league will be held in Bengaluru from September 3 to 13 and will feature some of the world’s biggest chess stars.After being named MVP in Season 2, Sarin, who qualified for the Esports World Cup and will also represent India at the Esports Nations Cup later this yearhe became one of the top picks of the draft. American Gambits secured the 22-year-old after intense competition and assembled a youthful team that also includes Daniil Dubov, Sara Khadem, Bibisar Assaubayeva and Marc’Andria Maurizzi.Defending champions Alpine APL Pipers have retained the Norwegian superstar Magnus Carlsen and added Women’s World Chess Cup winner Divya Deshmukh, Indian veteran Konera Humpy, Vidit Gujrathi and current Rapid World Champion Volodar Murzin to strengthen their title defence.In one of the biggest moves of the draft, the legend of Indian chess Viswanathan Anand switched teams for the first time in Global Chess League history, joining the PBG Alaskan Knights along with Arjun Erigaisi. The franchise also added young Turkish talents Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Nino Batsiashvili.Meanwhile, Ganges Grandmasters signed Ian Nepomniachtchi and brought back 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 also retained much of its successful core as six teams finalized their squads for the upcoming season.
The full lineup of the 4th season of the Global Chess League:
- 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.
- Ganges Grand Masters: Ian Nepomniachtchi, Levon Aronian, Leinier Dominguez, Polina Shuvalova, Stavroula Tsolakidou, Leon Luke Mendonca.
- Mumba masters: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Vladimir Fedoseev, Carissa Yip, Harika Dronavalli, Bardiya Daneshvar.
- 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.
