The Global Chess League (GCL) Season 4 player draft attracted a lot of attention on Monday, with Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin emerging as one of the favorites. After a bidding war, Sarin was signed by American Gambits, adding more strength to a team that already has 2026 champion 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 top chess stars.After Sarin was named MVP in the second season, He has qualified for the Esports World Cup and will represent India at the Esports Nations Cup later this yearbecoming one of the top picks in the draft. American Gambits signed the 22-year-old after fierce competition and assembled a young squad that also includes Daniil Dubov, Sara Khadem, Bibisara Assaubayeva and Marc’Andria Maurizzi.Defending champions Alpine APL Pipers retain Norwegian superstar Magnus Carlson Women’s Chess World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh, Indian veterans Koneru Humpy, Vidit Gujrathi and reigning World Rapid Chess champion Volodar Murzin also joined in to consolidate their titles.Indian chess legend makes one of biggest moves in draft Viswanathan Anand For the first time in the history of the Global Chess League, the team changes, with Arjun Erigaisi joining the PBG Alaska Knights. The team also introduced young Turkish talents Yagiz Kahn Erdogmus and Nino Baziashvili.Meanwhile, Ganges Masters signed Ian Nepomniachtchi and brought back Levon Aronian after missing two seasons, while Triveni Continental Kings retained Alireza Firouzja and replaced Aravindh Chitambaram Chithambaram and Pranav Venkatesh strengthened the lineup. The Mumba Masters has also retained most of its successful core players, with six teams finalizing their squads for next season.
Global Chess League Season 4 complete lineup:
- USA starts: Javokhir Sindarov, Nihal Sarin, Daniil Dubov, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Sara Khadem, Marc’Andria Maurizzi.
- APL Pipers: Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Vidit Santosh Gujrati, Divya Deshmukh, Cornelu Hampi, Volodar Murzin.
- Ganga 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.
- Alaska Riders: Viswanathan Anand, Arjun Erighesh, Yajiz Kahn Erdogams, Katerina Ragnow, Nino Baziashvili, Abhimanyu Mishra.
- Kings of Triveni Continent: Alireza Firouzja, Wei Yi, Aravindh Chithambaram, Zhujinr, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Pranav Venkatesh.
