Ananya Lohia , Bengaluru - The fourth season of the Global Chess League (GCL) will be held in Bengaluru from September 3, organisers announced on Friday. It will be the second consecutive edition of the franchise-based rapid chess league to be staged in India after Mumbai hosted Season 3 last year.

A joint initiative of Tech and FIDE, the GCL has gained popularity for its innovative format featuring franchise teams, mixed-gender line-ups and fast-paced matches involving some of the world's top chess players. GCL Commissioner Gourav Rakshit described the move to Bengaluru as a defining moment for the league, while FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said India remains at the forefront of the global chess movement and that Bengaluru is an ideal venue to build on the sport's growing momentum.

Previous editions of the league have featured leading Indian stars such as R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh and Viswanathan Anand. However, the full player lineup and the exact venue in Bengaluru are yet to be officially announced. The third season, held at Mumbai's Royal Opera House, introduced several fan-focused innovations, including mic'd-up team booths that allowed viewers on live streams to hear pre-match discussions and strategy meetings.

With Bengaluru set to host the league for the first time, Season 4 promises another exciting chapter for the rapidly growing tournament as it continues to bring elite chess and innovative fan experiences to a wider audience.