Teams:
Triveni Continental Kings: Firouzja, Wei, Vidit, Zhu, Kosteniuk, Maurizzi.
Upgrad Mumba Masters: Vachier-Lagrave, So, Mamedyarov, Koneru, Dronavalli, Daneshvar.
Alpine SG Pipers: Caruana, Giri, Praggnanandhaa, Hou, Batsiashvili, Mendonca.
Ganges Grandmasters: Anand, Keymer, Sindarov, Shuvalova, Tsolakidou, Sadhwani.
PBG Alaskan Knights: Gukesh, Erigaisi, Dominguez Perez, Lagno, Khademalsharieh, Dardha.
Fyers American Gambits: Nakamura, Artemiev, Rapport, Assaubayeva, Injac, Murzin.
Mumbai Set to Host the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League 2025
Mumbai will once again become the center of the global chess world as the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League returns for its third edition from Saturday, 13 December to Wednesday, 24 December 2025. Featuring many of the strongest players across generations, this rapid team event continues to establish itself as one of the most exciting and competitive tournaments on the modern chess calendar.
After successful editions held in Dubai and London, the league now arrives in India, reflecting both the country’s growing influence in elite chess and the tournament’s ambition to reach a global audience. With a fast paced format, star studded lineups, and a knockout finish, fans can expect nearly two weeks of intense, high quality chess.
A Proven Format That Rewards Consistency and Clutch Performance
The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League follows a two stage structure designed to test teams in different competitive settings. The opening stage is a round robin, where all six teams face each other across multiple matchdays. This phase runs until 22 December and emphasizes consistency, preparation, and squad depth.
Following the round robin, the top teams advance to a two day knockout stage. This final phase determines the ultimate placings and the league champion. In rapid chess, momentum and nerves play a major role, making the knockout rounds especially dramatic and unpredictable.
Each team features a balanced mix of elite male and female players, along with emerging talents, reinforcing the league’s commitment to inclusivity and global representation.
Triveni Continental Kings: Firepower and Experience
The Triveni Continental Kings bring together one of the most formidable rosters in the competition. Headlining the team is Alireza Firouzja, whose dynamic style and tactical sharpness make him one of the most feared players in rapid chess. He is joined by China’s Wei Yi, known for his precise calculation and attacking instincts.
Indian star Vidit Gujrathi adds solidity and local support, while Zhu Jiner strengthens the women’s board with her steady and positional approach. Former world champion Anna Muzychuk Kosteniuk brings vast experience, and French prodigy Marc’Andria Maurizzi rounds out the team with youthful ambition. This lineup combines explosive potential with seasoned professionalism.
Upgrad Mumba Masters: A Balanced and Battle Tested Squad
Representing the host city, the Upgrad Mumba Masters field a deeply experienced team capable of challenging any opponent. Maxime Vachier Lagrave anchors the lineup with his opening expertise and rapid chess pedigree. Wesley So provides calm decision making and endgame mastery, while Shakhriyar Mamedyarov injects creativity and fighting spirit.
Indian legends Koneru Humpy and Dronavalli Harika strengthen the women’s boards, offering consistency and strategic clarity. Completing the team is Iran’s Amin Daneshvar, a rising talent eager to make his mark on the global stage. With home support and a well rounded squad, the Mumba Masters will be among the tournament favorites.
Alpine SG Pipers: Precision Meets Youthful Energy
The Alpine SG Pipers boast an impressive mix of elite experience and emerging brilliance. Former world championship challenger Fabiano Caruana leads the team, bringing deep preparation and universal positional strength. He is joined by Anish Giri, whose theoretical knowledge and pragmatic approach are invaluable in team formats.
India’s Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu adds youthful fearlessness and creativity, while Hou Yifan lends unmatched experience from the women’s side, having dominated global chess for over a decade. Nino Batsiashvili contributes resilience, and young Indian talent Leon Luke Mendonca completes a lineup capable of both steady accumulation and explosive wins.
Ganges Grandmasters: Legacy and the Next Generation
Few teams can match the symbolic weight of the Ganges Grandmasters, led by five time world champion Viswanathan Anand. His presence alone elevates the tournament, offering fans a rare opportunity to watch a legend compete alongside the next generation.
Vincent Keymer and Javokhir Sindarov represent the future of elite chess, combining ambition with strong technical foundations. Polina Shuvalova and Stavroula Tsolakidou bring depth to the women’s boards, while India’s Raunak Sadhwani adds local flair and aggressive intent. This team blends history, mentorship, and rising talent in a uniquely compelling way.
PBG Alaskan Knights: India’s Young Guns Lead the Charge
The PBG Alaskan Knights showcase the strength of India’s new wave, led by world championship challenger Gukesh Dommaraju. Known for his composure under pressure, Gukesh will be supported by Arjun Erigaisi, one of the most dangerous attackers in modern chess.
Leinier Dominguez Perez provides experience and endgame expertise, while Kateryna Lagno strengthens the women’s lineup with her elite rapid skills. Sarasadat Khademalsharieh adds fighting spirit, and Belgian prodigy Daniel Dardha completes a team that thrives on initiative and momentum.
Fyers American Gambits: Creativity and Unpredictability
The Fyers American Gambits may be the most unpredictable team in the league. Hikaru Nakamura headlines the squad, bringing unmatched rapid and blitz prowess along with immense online and over the board experience. Vladislav Artemiev and Richard Rapport ensure that no game is dull, with their willingness to take risks and push positions beyond standard theory.
From the women’s side, Bibisara Assaubayeva and Teodora Injac contribute fighting strength and consistency. Young Russian talent Volodar Murzin rounds out the roster, making this a team capable of dramatic swings and surprise victories.
Why This Edition Matters
The 2025 edition of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League stands out not just for its strength, but for its timing and location. Hosted in Mumbai, it highlights India’s role as a global chess powerhouse while bringing together legends, current superstars, and future champions in one arena.
With rapid time controls, team strategy, and a knockout climax, the league promises daily excitement and high quality chess that appeals to both seasoned fans and newcomers.
Important Links
Official Global Chess League website
https://globalchessleague.com
Tech Mahindra official site
https://www.techmahindra.com
Live games and standings on Chess Results
https://chess-results.com
Broadcast and streaming details via FIDE
https://www.fide.com