‘One of the missions of GCL is to build a fanbase of chess’

The third edition of the Global Chess League in Mumbai last year proved a big hit with the fans, who were able to engage with their favourite stars at the Royal Opera House. The fourth season of the league, which opens at Bengaluru on September 5, will provide even bigger opportunities for them, according to Gourav Rakshit, the GCL’s Commissioner.

“After Mumbai, we have a sense of what the Indian fan expects from the GCL, and we are looking forward to making it even bigger and better at Bengaluru,” Rakshit told The Hindu over the phone. “I think our broadcast also worked extremely well, and the fans at the venue could listen to the commentary of the games through headsets. That novelty was welcomed by the fans. One of the missions of GCL is to build a fanbase of chess.”

He said they could look forward to spending more time with the players at Bengaluru. “At the special sections inside the fan zone now, where players can come and actually interact with the fans,” he said. “The team owners too can interact with the fans, who will get a chance to experience a close connection with all the players.”

Rakshit said the GCL was developing an app that would give plenty to the chess fans. “Most of our fans are also chess players,” he said. “Now this time we have got an app where they can actually play along with the Grandmaster. The idea is that they could do their moves before the GMs. And they will get to actually see the live positions that are on the board. We are excited that we will give the fans at home also a different opportunity to experience GCL, not just on the stream, but in action, live inside the app.”