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Chess Grandmasters assemble in London for Global Chess League

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In a unique sports event, many of the world’s strongest chess players have gathered in London for the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, the only professional sports league where men and women compete together on mixed-gender teams. Created as a joint venture between Indian tech giant Tech Mahindra and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the league aims to bring chess to millions of fans worldwide through a fresh, competitive format that is unlike anything seen before in the sport.

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Some of the strongest and most well-known players on the planet are competing, including five-time World Champion and current world number one Magnus Carlsen, former World Champion Viswanathan Anand, world number two and popular chess streamer Hikaru Nakamura, and one of the youngest players in the chess elite, 21-year-old Alireza Firouzja. Additionally, former Women’s World Champions Hou Yifan, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Tan Zhongyi, and other leading Grandmasters are among the 36 players participating in this prestigious event.

“There’s incredible excitement as the Global Chess League Season 2 rolls out on October 3rd here in London. We are looking forward to having a great turnout with chess lovers coming into the Friends House to watch some thrilling matches between the world’s top players,” said Sameer Pathak, CEO of the Global Chess League.

Arkady Dvorkovich, President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), added, “This event is groundbreaking in both concept and format. It sets a new standard not only for chess but for sports worldwide. The initiative to combine men and women on the same team is inspiring and will greatly promote the game globally.”

World-class teams

The reigning champions, the Triveni Continental Kings, claimed victory in the inaugural edition held in July 2023 in Dubai, UAE, with a dramatic last-minute win over the Ganges Grandmasters. This year six teams – owned by major international companies – are participating in the league: Alpine SG Pipers, led by Magnus Carlsen; Ganges Grandmasters, led by Viswanathan Anand; upGrad Mumba Masters, led by Maxime Vachier-Lagrave; PBG Alaskan Knights, led by Anish Giri; Triveni Continental Kings, led by Alireza Firouzja; and American Gambits, led by Hikaru Nakamura.

Unique format
Each team consists of six players: one Icon Player (a top-rated Grandmaster rated 2700 or above), two world-class Grandmasters, two top-female players, and one player aged 21 or younger.

The teams will compete in a double round-robin format, meaning they will face every other team twice. In contrast to traditional chess tournaments, where each team has an equal number of players playing with black or white pieces, here, the entire team will play with one colour for the duration of a match and switch in the rematch. Each game lasts only 20 minutes, with no time increment, making time pressure a significant factor in the game.

A new scoring system

The scoring system resembles football more than traditional chess, where a win with either colour earns oje point, a draw earns half a point, and a loss earns no points. At the TechM GCL, a win with the black pieces earns 4 game points, while a win with white earns 3. A draw is worth 1 game point, and a loss earns no points. In terms of match points, a team victory is rewarded with 3 points, a draw with 1, and a loss with 0. After the round-robin phase, the two teams with the highest match points will advance to the final, which will be decided over two matches. If a tie occurs, blitz playoffs will determine the winner.

Where and when

The event takes place at Friends House, Euston (NW1 2BJ) with the first round starting on Thursday, 3rd October, at 13:15 London time. Each day will feature three matches (at 13:15, 15:55, and 17:15). The final will be held on Saturday, 12th October, with matches beginning at 13:15 and 14:35 London time.

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Dubai Investor Expands Global Footprint with London Investment Firm

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A Dubai businessman has launched a London-based investment company to acquire stakes in private and listed businesses in the United Kingdom and international markets.
Hari Shankar Tibrewala, who founded Dubai-based Zenith Global Limited and Zenith Multi Trading DMCC, said the new company, Zenith Global Ventures Ltd, would invest exclusively its own capital.
Based in Berkeley Square, Mayfair, the company will focus on established private businesses, selected listed shares, technology and artificial intelligence, and strategic acquisitions. It will consider minority and controlling stakes, including investments where it can participate in governance and strategy.
“Zenith Global Ventures has been set up to be a patient, disciplined owner of quality businesses. Because we invest our own capital, we can take a long-term view, back strong management teams and focus on lasting value rather than short-term results,” said Tibrewala, its founder and director.
According to the company, it has no outside investors or fixed fund life, allowing it to hold investments without a predetermined exit timetable.
Zenith said it would assess potential investments on earnings, cash flow, balance-sheet strength and competitive position, alongside management quality and governance. Each opportunity would undergo due diligence and be subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
For listed shares, the company said it would seek businesses it considers undervalued. Its technology and AI investments would focus on companies it believes can sustain a competitive advantage.
The company cited London’s legal framework, capital markets and connections with Europe, the Gulf and Asia as reasons for choosing the city as its base.
Tibrewala established investment holding company Zenith Global Limited in Dubai in 2013, followed by Zenith Multi Trading DMCC in 2014. He moved to London in 2024.
Zenith Global Ventures said it does not manage third-party funds or offer investments to the public.

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MIRAL Joins 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 as official experience partner

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Yas Island will become the official experiences partner of the Abu Dhabi T10 for its 2026 edition, under a new partnership between Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub (ADCSH) and Miral.

Under the agreement, all six Abu Dhabi T10 franchises will be based on Yas Island during the tournament, while a number of events linked to the competition will also be held across the destination.

The partnership will include the tournament’s Trophy Launch, Opening Party and Closing Party, with Yas Island’s attractions and venues forming part of the wider Abu Dhabi T10 experience for players, teams, partners and fans.

“We are thrilled to welcome Yas Island as the Official Experiences Partner of the 2026 Abu Dhabi T10,” said Matthew Boucher, CEO of Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub and Abu Dhabi T10.

“The island is an unbelievable destination which will provide an exceptional setting for our teams, our players and for many of the tournament experiences.”

Leon Marsh, Miral’s director of events, said the partnership reflected a shared aim of creating experiences for “fans, teams and families alike”.

“Yas Island is the ideal setting for the key moments and flagship events taking place during this year’s Abu Dhabi T10,” he said.

The 2026 Abu Dhabi T10 Draft, held at Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, saw 108 players selected by six franchises: Arabian Aces, Emirates Eagles, Royal Desert Champions, UAE Bulls, United Tigers and Yas Lions.

The tournament will take place at Zayed Cricket Stadium from 7 to 20 November, bringing together international players for the 10-over competition.

The partnership is also intended to promote Abu Dhabi as a destination combining international sport, leisure and entertainment, with Yas Island providing the base for the teams throughout the tournament.

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Dubai-born HOP Events targets 25 cities in global expansion

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A Dubai-founded events company is planning to expand into 25 cities worldwide over the next two years, as it looks to build an international business around music and culture.

HOP Events, founded by Dubai-based entrepreneur Kalpesh Kinariwala, said it aims to stage more than 250 events a year across 75 venues and arenas, reaching more than one million people annually.

Its planned expansion includes London, New York, Doha and Singapore, alongside its existing base in Dubai.

The company has organised concerts featuring artists including A.R. Rahman, Arijit Singh, Lucky Ali, Nancy Ajram, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and sitarist Rishab Sharma.

HOP now plans to broaden its programme beyond large-scale concerts, with storytelling, art and other cultural events forming part of its international expansion.

“Our goal has never been to build an events company,” Kinariwala said. “We’re building a platform where culture becomes a catalyst for connection.”

The plans were outlined after a recent Dubai event featuring storyteller Laksh Maheshwari.

HOP is the cultural arm of PANTHEON ACR, a Dubai-based venture founded by Kinariwala with interests spanning art, culture and real estate.

Kinariwala said Dubai’s position as a city with a large international population provided the starting point for HOP’s expansion.

The company said its programme over the next 24 months would feature both established international performers and emerging creative talent, alongside storytelling and other cultural experiences.

“The moments people carry with them for years are rarely the biggest,” Kinariwala said. “They are the moments that make us feel connected, inspired, understood or part of something larger than ourselves.”

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