Glad to be back at the GCL, says Carlsen

Chess is finding newer fans. Five-time World champion Magnus Carlsen feels that has been the case for the last five or six years across the world.

“We are still finding different ways to present chess,” said the Norwegian on the eve of the Global Chess League, which kicks off here on Saturday. “For me it is interesting to be part of these innovative events (such as the GCL and the Total Chess World Championship Tour). There is a lot of enthusiasm to present chess in the best way possible.”

Carlsen is glad to be back at the GCL after a year’s interval. “We had a couple of really frustrating years for the team (Alpine Pipers) when I was playing,” he said. “And then when I was away, the team won the title. So, this time I am just trying to do my best to not do any worse than last year.”

Unlike Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, also a five-time World champion, is playing for a new team this year – PBG Alaskan Knights. “Every year you have to come with a positive attitude,” he said. “We have a great team…and my role is just that of a player (and not a mentor).”

Javokhir Sindarov, who will be challenging D. Gukesh for the World title later this year, said he wasn’t thinking about that match at the moment. “I have enjoyed playing in every season of the GCL,” he said. “I am excited that I will be playing on the first board this year and I will try my best to help my team (Fyers American Gambits) win the tournament.”

Among the biggest attractions of the league is the Turkish prodigy Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. He is making his GCL debut and is part of Alaskan Knights. “It is going to be an amazing experience for me to play along with Vishy (Anand) and Arjun (Erigaisi),” he said.

Like him, Divya Deshmukh is also playing at the GCL for the first time. And she is looking forward to the experience of playing without increment though she is also a bit wary of it. “I would love to flag some of my opponents (in the time scramble),” said the Women’s World Cup winner.

The GCL’s chairman Peeyush Dubey said the GCL proved chess could also be a festival. “And we have support from some of the biggest companies in the world,” he said.