Ganges Grandmasters raise the stakes at the player draft for the inaugural edition of the Global Chess League to be held in Dubai. Courtesy Tech Mahindra
The first Global Chess League player draft saw women’s top-ranked Grandmaster Hou Yifan become the star pick in a pool of 36 after the bidding process in Mumbai. The highly anticipated six-team tournament is scheduled to take place from June 21 to July 2 at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club, in association with the Dubai Sports Council.
A day after the owners of the six franchises were announced, the cream of world’s chess players – Yifan, Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, Ding Liren and others – were picked from a purse of 1,000 points for each team. A joint venture between Tech Mahindra and FIDE, the GCL has captured the attention of chess enthusiasts worldwide, and where each team have players across four categories: Icon, Superstars Men, Superstars Women, and Prodigy. The Icon players were selected based on a preferential draft system.
Magnus Carlsen, the five-time World Chess Champion and the top-ranked player in the world was selected by SG Alpine Warriors. A five-time World Chess Champion, Viswanathan Anand, joined the Ganges Grandmasters. The current World Champion, Ding Liren was drafted by Triveni Continental Kings. Other notable selections included Grandmaster Jan-Krzysztof Duda by Chingari Gulf Titans and Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi by Balan Alaskan Knights. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave joined upGrad Mumba Masters as their Icon player.
Yifan attracted the highest points’ bid across men and women categories when Ganges Grandmasters picked her for 470 points. “I am looking forward to being on the same team as Viswanathan Anand and also to have the likes of Richárd Rapport, Leinier Domínguez, Bella Khotenashvili, and Andrey Esipenko on our team,” she said.
upGrad Mumba Masters picked up the Indian pair of Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli at 360 and 330 points, respectively. Praggnanandhaa R became the highest-bid player among the U21 Prodigy category, won by SG Alpine Warriors at 290 points. Andrey Esipenko went to Ganges Grandmasters in a lucky draw after receiving an equal point bid by Triveni Continental Kings, who got Jonas Buhl Bjerre eventually.
“From being on opposite sides of the table with most players to being on the same team, I am excited to meet my teammates and see how we can make the most of this experience and apply it to future competitions,” said Praggnanandhaa.
To ensure the smooth progress of the tournament, there are 3 chess players who have been chosen as reserve players who will be assigned to the particular team in case, due to any unforeseen circumstances, the current squad member/s cannot participate.
The six teams will engage in a double round-robin format, playing a total of 10 matches. The matches will be decided using a best-of-six board scoring system, played simultaneously, adding an extra layer of excitement to the tournament. The top two teams will advance to the final on July 2, where the coveted title of World Champion Franchise Team will be awarded.
TEAMS
(Icon, Superstar Men (2), Superstar Women (2), Prodigy):
Motorists visiting Dubai Silicon Oasis will notice a major change in parking operations as new Parkonic-managed on-street parking zones officially come into effect from June 1.
The latest expansion covers several areas surrounding Dubai Silicon Oasis, including locations near University Residence buildings, and forms part of Dubai’s broader transition towards a fully digital parking ecosystem.
Unlike traditional parking systems that rely on tickets, parking meters or pay-and-display machines, the new setup uses automatic number plate recognition technology to identify vehicles and process payments seamlessly. The system is designed to offer a faster and more convenient experience for drivers while supporting Dubai’s smart city ambitions.
Under the Parkonic model, parking charges can be automatically deducted through a vehicle owner’s Salik account, eliminating the need for manual payments. Drivers who prefer an alternative method can also pay via SMS by following the instructions displayed on parking signs within the designated zones.
As part of the rollout, authorities have confirmed that cash payments, parking meters and QR code transactions will no longer be accepted in the newly activated areas.
Parking fees will vary depending on the time of day. Motorists will be charged Dh4 per hour from midnight until 4pm, while peak-hour rates will increase to Dh6 per hour between 4pm and 8pm. Charges will then return to Dh4 per hour from 8pm until midnight.
The expansion reflects Dubai’s ongoing investment in smart mobility solutions aimed at simplifying everyday services for residents and visitors. By integrating parking payments with existing digital infrastructure such as Salik, authorities hope to reduce congestion, improve operational efficiency and create a more seamless urban mobility experience.
Drivers using the new zones are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the updated payment process and ensure their Salik account details are active and up to date to avoid potential penalties.
For motorists requiring assistance, Parkonic has made customer support available through its dedicated helpline and online support channels.
The latest rollout marks another step in Dubai’s journey towards a smarter, more connected transport network, where technology continues to replace traditional systems and enhance convenience for road users across the emirate.
Drivers travelling through Dubai during late-night hours are advised to plan after authorities announced a temporary closure of the exit leading to Maliha Road as part of ongoing Etihad Rail infrastructure development works.
The closure will be in effect daily from midnight until 6am, beginning on June 1 and continuing through June 10. During this period, the affected exit will remain inaccessible for 6 hours each night while construction work is underway.
Officials said the temporary measure is necessary to support progress on the Etihad Rail project, one of the UAE’s most significant transport infrastructure initiatives aimed at enhancing connectivity across the country.
Motorists who regularly use the route are encouraged to identify alternative roads and allow extra travel time, particularly during the overnight closure window. Traffic diversions and alternative access routes are expected to help minimise disruption for road users.
Authorities have urged drivers to follow road signs, adhere to traffic guidance and remain updated on any changes related to the works.
The temporary closure forms part of broader efforts to advance the UAE’s transport network and support future mobility projects that will improve travel efficiency and connectivity nationwide.
Officials also thanked motorists for their patience and cooperation during the construction period, while apologising for any inconvenience caused as work continues on the major infrastructure project.
The UAE announced revised fuel prices for June 2026, with motorists set to pay significantly more for petrol while diesel costs decline compared to the previous month.
The latest adjustment is particularly notable as it marks the country’s first monthly fuel pricing update since formally leaving both OPEC and OPEC+ earlier this year.
Beginning June 1, Super 98 petrol will be priced at Dh3.95 per litre, up from Dh3.66 in May. Special 95 will rise to Dh3.83 per litre from Dh3.55, while E-Plus 91 will increase from Dh3.48 to Dh3.76 per litre.
In contrast, diesel users will benefit from a reduction, with prices falling from Dh4.69 per litre in May to Dh4.33 in June.
The latest increase extends a three-month upward trend in petrol prices, reflecting ongoing volatility in global energy markets and fluctuations in crude oil prices.
Impact on residents
For households across the UAE, fuel price movements remain a key economic indicator, influencing transportation costs, daily commuting expenses and overall household budgets. Rising petrol prices can have a noticeable impact on monthly spending, particularly for residents who rely heavily on private vehicles.
The June pricing announcement comes just weeks after the UAE officially ended its six-decade membership in OPEC and OPEC+, a move that took effect on May 1, 2026.
The revised prices will come into effect from June1, 2026.