Tech Mahindra joins forces with FIDE for “Phygital” Global Chess League

The International Chess Federation established a new collaboration with Tech Mahindra Ltd, a major supplier of digital transformation, consulting, and business re-engineering services and solutions, for the Global Chess League (GCL) on Friday. Former world champion Viswanathan Anand will serve as the league’s designated instructor and associate. The Global Chess League, an initiative primarily presented by Tech Mahindra earlier this year, is the centerpiece of the Memorandum of Understanding inked by FIDE and Tech Mahindra.

With FIDE’s assistance, the Global Chess League will now be recognized as the only global league by the sport’s governing organization of chess. FIDE and Tech Mahindra will combine their resources and experience to guarantee that the game’s essence and the highest sports and organisational standards are upheld. FIDE will assist in developing technical norms and will focus on promoting the league via its media outlets, offering an engaging platform for the worldwide audience.

The tournament will be formed as a first-of-its-kind “phygital” (physical and digital) league, attracting participants of all levels – professional and amateur. In principle, it will have numerous franchise-owned groups from throughout the world, with a mix of named players, juveniles, and wildcard entries competing in an intriguing style.

This alliance will also encourage chess in new and exciting forms, generate chances for kids, and develop numerous champions internationally. The collaboration intends to investigate novel methods of marketing the game via engaging technology-enabled portals by using emerging innovations such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and virtual worlds.

Speaking on the association, Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President, said: “The motto of Chess is ‘Gens una sumus,’ meaning “We are one people”, and we at FIDE take this unique opportunity to popularize the game which bears the motto of uniting the world. We are endeavouring to dramatically enhance its visibility through a global league powered by technology and are honoured to have partnered with Tech Mahindra. I am certain that Tech Mahindra’s expertise will further aid in elevating The Global Chess League to the next level, accelerate its popularity and layout the most riveting tournament for chess fans.”

CP Gurnani, MD & CEO, Tech Mahindra, said: “Chess and the business ecosystem are reflections of the same ‘game’, which hold people, strategy and adaptations at their core. The partnership with FIDE marks the coming together of two organizations to promote, revolutionize and drive fan engagement of a historical game, like chess. We see great potential in this partnership which aims to raise the profile of the game, discover next generations of Chess champions – including women and children, enhance the fan base across the globe and take it to new commercial heights.”

Five-time World Chess Champion, Viswanathan Anand, said: “With FIDE  coming on board along with Tech Mahindra, I am sure the Global Chess League will help in catalysing the popularity of the game while spirit of the game intact and create opportunities for young talent across the world.”