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):
UAE residents can expect very hot weather, rising humidity and possible fog or mist in the coming days, with a chance of rainfall over eastern areas.
According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), skies will remain fair to partly cloudy, with convective clouds potentially developing over eastern areas in the afternoon and bringing rain.
Humidity is expected to increase overnight and on Tuesday morning, particularly over some western coastal areas. This could lead to fog or mist and reduced visibility.
Motorists have been advised to take extra care during early morning drives and adjust their speed when visibility is poor.
Temperatures approach 50°C
Meanwhile, daytime temperatures will remain exceptionally high across the country. Coastal areas are expected to reach 40°C to 45°C, while temperatures in inland areas could climb to 49°C.
Light winds and calm seas
Winds are expected to be light to moderate, becoming fresh at times. Sea conditions will remain slight, with waves reaching around two feet onshore and three feet offshore.
With extreme daytime heat continuing alongside higher humidity and possible fog, residents are advised to plan outdoor activities carefully and exercise caution on the roads during periods of reduced visibility.
Etihad Rail has warned passengers that travelling without a valid ticket or misusing discounted fares could result in a Dh200 fine, denial of service and possible legal action.
Under the company’s Passenger Charter, travellers must have a valid ticket before boarding an Etihad Rail train or bus. A ticket is valid only when it carries the correct passenger name, date and travel time, and has not already been used.
What can lead to a Dh200 fine?
Etihad Rail lists four key violations that can attract a Dh200 penalty:
Travelling without a valid ticket, including using a ticket issued in someone else’s name.
Deliberately avoiding payment of the correct fare.
Using a discounted or category-specific ticket without being eligible.
Forging, altering or fraudulently obtaining a ticket.
Invalid or fraudulent tickets may be confiscated by authorised staff, with no compensation payable for confiscated tickets.
Passengers found without a valid ticket may also have to purchase a Flexible ticket at the applicable fare for their journey.
Ticket checks can happen throughout the journey
Passengers must carry their ticket and valid identification and produce them when requested by Etihad Rail staff or authorised personnel.
Checks can take place at departure stations, during the journey, at intermediate stations and when passengers leave the platform at their destination.
Travellers using electronic tickets are responsible for ensuring their phones have enough battery to display the ticket when required.
Passengers must also travel in the coach and seat shown on their ticket, unless instructed otherwise by Etihad Rail.
Repeat offenders could face travel bans
Etihad Rail said repeated or serious violations could lead to passengers being refused travel, required to end their journey or barred from using its services for a specified or indefinite period.
The company may also refer cases to the relevant authorities, including the Public Prosecution. Additional penalties, including imprisonment where provided by law, may apply.
Passengers denied travel or service because of a violation may not be entitled to a refund or compensation.
Etihad Rail also prohibits buying tickets from unauthorised sources, altering tickets to defraud the company, or transferring unused or partially used tickets where the ticket conditions do not allow it.
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi has introduced a walk-in facility for eligible applicants seeking passport, visa, attestation and other consular services at Alhind Tours and Travels centres across the UAE.
Walk-ins will be accepted from 9am to 1pm at all 16 Indian Consular Application Centres operated by Alhind.
The facility is available to:
Tatkaal passport applicants
Newborn cases
Emergency Certificate applicants
Senior citizens
People of determination
The embassy has advised applicants to book appointments online whenever possible. Walk-in requests will be processed subject to available slots.
Alhind centres and appointments
Appointments can be booked online through the service portal. Regular service hours at the centres are 8am to 6pm.
Alhind charges a Dh19 service fee, including VAT, in addition to applicable Indian government fees. The fee covers services such as form filling, photographs, document typing, printouts, photocopies and domestic courier services.
Indian passport fees increased
Indian passport fees were increased from July 1, marking the first revision in 14 years.
For an ordinary fresh passport or reissue with 36 pages, the fee is now Dh96under the normal scheme and Dh190 under Tatkaal, up from Dh57 and Dh134 respectively.
For a 60-page passport, the new fees are Dh134 for normal applications and Dh230 for Tatkaal, compared with Dh78 and Dh153 previously.
The fee revision also applies to Indian nationals living overseas, with the corresponding charges set in local or applicable foreign-currency terms.