Carlsen, Anish, Vidit, Divya Deshmukh, K Humpy in one team: How GCL made it possible
The Alpine APL Pipers have assembled a star-studded roster for the Global Chess League, featuring top players like Magnus Carlsen and Koneru Humpy. The article explores the strategic drafting process used to build such a competitive team within a franchise ecosystem.
Why it matters
It illustrates the professionalization and franchise-based business models now being applied to traditional board games to increase commercial appeal.
Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Vidit Gujrathi, Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh, Volodar Murzin. Wait. This isn’t a draft for an all-star exhibition tournament, but the six-member roster that the Alpine APL Pipers have assembled to defend their Global Chess League (GCL) crown for Season 4 in Bengaluru.If last season was about breaking the stranglehold of the Triveni Continental Kings to lift their maiden title, Season 4, starting this Saturday, is likely to be about something far more terrifying for the rest of the field.Pairing World No.
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