After the inaugural edition in Dubai and a second season in London, the Global Chess League is coming home. In a manner of speaking. The third edition of the GCL will be held in Mumbai, with the ornate white walls with gold detailing and royal red seats of the Royal Opera House transforming into the playing hall for the world’s top chess league.

As the men behind the running of the GCL this season, Peeyush Dubey, Chairperson of GCL, and Gourav Rakshit, Commissioner of the league, noted last week: “Our wait ended after we saw the Royal Opera House. Bringing the league back to India will raise the stature of chess as well.”

From the outside, having the league in India after two seasons abroad might seem like a bit of a climbdown. But not to the men behind the decision.

“It was about time

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