Indus Valley Times

NEW DELHI, JULY 9 : Legendary Viswanathan Anand welcomed India cricketer R Ashwin to the world of chess after the off-spinner was unveiled as the co-owner of a new franchise in Global Chess League. After having featured in multiple roles across the 22 yards, the celebrated cricketer will now don the role of a co-owner of American Gambits, one of the six teams in the league, which is a joint venture between the world chess body (FIDE) and Tech Mahindra.

The second edition of the Global Chess League, featuring some of the top Grandmasters, will be held in London from October 3 to 12 and R Ashwin will be a proud co-owner of one of the franchises. Notably, the GCL is the first and world’s largest franchise-based team chess tournament.

“As someone who has bowled out the best in cricket, I’m sure you’ll bring the same competitive spirit to the Global Chess League with the American Gambits. May your rooks and bishops be as unstoppable as your off-spinners!” Viswanathan Anand said in a post on X.

Anand spoke a language that Ashwin loves– a Rajinikanth song to wish him the best for the new venture in the world of chess. The chess legend quoted a few lines from ‘Vetri Kodi Kattu’ a motivational number by AR Rahman for Rajinikanth’s blockbuster film ‘Padaiyappa’, leaving Ashwin thrilled.

Ashwin, who is a huge fan of chess, will be co-owner of the franchise along with business leaders Prachura PP and Venkat Narayana.

The second edition of the Global Chess League was unveiled on Monday. Apart from Ashwin’s American Gambits, Alpine SG Pipers owned by APL Apollo-led SG Sports, Ganges Grandmasters owned by Insurekot Sports, Mumba Masters owned by Ronnie Screwvala led Unilazer Ventures, PBG Alaskan Knights owned by Punit Balan Group, and the inaugural season champions Triveni Continental Kings owned by Triveni Engineering & Industries Limited will take part in the second edition.

-The India Today