Ravichandran Ashwin buys Chess team in GCL, Viswanathan Anand congratulates with Rajinikanth Song

Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has broadened his involvement in the sports horizon as he has joined the American Gambits as a co-owner, which will compete in the second edition of the Global Chess League.

This league, organised by Tech Mahindra and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is set to be held in London from October 3 to 12.

The American Gambits will take over from the Chingari Gulf Titans in this year's tournament. The Global Chess League stands out with its unique team format. Each team includes six players, featuring two top female chess players and a young prodigy.

Global Chess League Format

The tournament will follow a double round-robin structure, consisting of 10 matches. The team that secures the highest points at the end of these matches will be crowned the winner. This format ensures every match is crucial for the teams involved.

Ashwin's involvement brings a fresh perspective to the league, blending cricket's strategic insights with chess's intellectual demands. His participation highlights the growing intersection between different sports disciplines.

The Global Chess League is not just about competition; it also promotes gender diversity and nurtures young talent. By including leading female players and prodigies, it showcases a balanced representation of skill and potential in chess.

Ravichandran Ashwin's venture into chess ownership marks an interesting crossover between cricket and chess. Chess legend Viswanathan Anand congratulated Ashwin as he leapt into this new venture.

"Congratulations @ashwinravi99 on your exciting new venture into the world of chess! 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! Best of luck in London," Anand wrote on X.

He also followed his message with four lines in Tamil, which is the lyrics of a song name Vetri Kodu from the film Padayappa.