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World’s best knights to descend in Dubai for Global Chess League

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Hou Yifan, left, and Magnus Carlsen are among a stellar field for the inaugural Global Chess League.

The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League (GCL) have announced the complete list of players for the upcoming inaugural edition, to be held at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club from June 21 to July 2.

The GCL, in association with the Dubai Sports Council, will feature reigning world champion Ding Liren, the top-ranked chess player and five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen, five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, and four-time women’s world champion Hou Yifan, among others.

Grandmaster Liren, said: “Global Chess League appeared to be a fantastic opportunity from the moment I heard about it. Not only is it an interesting format, but also, as an Icon player, I get to contribute to an exciting concept that will change the face of the chess world for years to come. Further, knowing that GCL will see participation from players worldwide, it will be a strong field, and I look forward to meeting all the players.”

A five-time world champion, and the reigning four-time rapid chess world champion, Carlsen’s peak Fide rating has been the highest in chess history. “Chess is played by many people worldwide, but it needs to catch up to other major sports as a spectator sport, and I am optimistic that GCL will contribute significantly to this.”

All teams will compete in a one-of-a-kind joint team format at GCL, with each team consisting of six players with a minimum of two women chess players per team. Besides Liren and Carlsen, four former world champions will add to the thrilling level of competition – 2021 rapid world champion Nodirbek Abdusattorov, 2008 blitz world winner Leinier Domínguez, three-time blitz world champion Alexander Grischuk, and Daniil Dubov (2018, rapid).

The league will also feature top female superstars, including Grandmaster (GM) Hou Yifan, the second highest-rated female player of all time. She was the youngest female player ever to qualify for the title of grandmaster at the age of 14.

There will be six teams with each accorded an icon player and two women players in the mixed-team GCL. The full list of icon players is yet to be finalised.

Yifan will be accompanied by WGMs Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, Kateryna Lagno, Alexandra Kosteniuk, Tan Zhongyi, Nana Dzagnidze, Bella Khotenashvili, Nino Batsiashvili, Irina Krush, International Master Polina Shuvalova, and 2018 European women’s champion in rapid chess, Elisabeth Paehtz.

Yifan said, “Global Chess League has already sparked widespread interest. GCL is certain to take the game in new directions and open doors, which have never been explored before. Chess fans all over the world are in for a treat.”

Six U21 players will also compete in the GCL, with the trio of Grandmasters, Praggnanandhaa R., Raunak Sadhwani, and Nihal Sarin, leading the pack of prodigies for India. GMs Jonas Buhl Bjerre, Javokhir Sindarov and chess prodigy GM Andrey Esipenko complete the list of players in the category.

ALSO READ: Anand sees ‘new beginning’ in Dubai with GCL

In addition to the players mentioned above, the GCL will feature several other superstars of chess, including Grandmasters Vidit Gujrathi, Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Teimour Radjabov, Yi Wei, Yu Yangyi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Richard Rapport, Kirill Shevchenko, Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Salem Salah.

Jagdish Mitra, the GCL board chairman, said, “Apart from being great players, all of them have been ambassadors for the game in their respective countries and worldwide. With them on board, GCL only adds another feather to its cap in becoming a true game changer for the chess ecosystem by introducing a mixed-team format in chess. This is a true testament to our belief in providing equal opportunities to all, regardless of gender.”

 

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Abu Dhabi announces paid parking in parts of Mohamed Bin Zayed City from April 6

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Q Mobility has announced the rollout of a paid parking system in several commercial areas of Mohamed Bin Zayed City, starting April 6.

The initiative is being implemented under the supervision of the Integrated Transport Centre, part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport.

Where will paid parking apply?

In this phase, the system will cover:

  • Commercial sectors ME10 and ME11
  • Commercial areas along main streets within villa zones Z17-01, Z19, Z20, and Z27

The move targets areas with high traffic and commercial activity, aiming to improve parking availability and reduce congestion.

What about residential areas?

Parking in nearby villa zones will also be regulated:

  • Spaces will be reserved only for permit holders
  • Designed to protect residents’ privacy
  • Helps prevent misuse of residential parking by visitors

Q Mobility has emphasised that this step is part of a comprehensive strategy to improve parking management and ease traffic flow in Abu Dhabi. 

The plan will:

  • Better organise parking in busy districts
  • Improve traffic flow
  • Ensure fair access to parking for residents and visitors


The rollout is part of broader efforts to modernise transport infrastructure and enhance urban mobility across Abu Dhabi.

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Dubai RTA resumes key bus routes as conditions improve after rains

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has announced the resumption of several major bus routes following temporary suspensions caused by heavy rainfall and unstable weather conditions across the UAE.

The authority confirmed that services are now operating again, allowing passengers to travel safely and more smoothly, although minor delays may still occur as operations gradually return to full capacity.

Several key routes have resumed, including:

  • E315 between Etisalat Bus Station and Muwaileh (Sharjah)
  • E101 to Abu Dhabi, now operating from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station instead of Ibn Battuta Bus Station due to earlier waterlogging
  • E411 service to Ajman from Etisalat Bus Station
  • Route 201 from Al Ghubaiba Bus Station to Al Ain

The service restoration comes after disruptions triggered by adverse weather, which led to the temporary suspension of multiple bus routes to ensure passenger safety.

RTA said all necessary safety and operational measures are in place to support a smooth return to normal services.

Advice for commuters

Passengers are encouraged to:

  • Allow extra travel time
  • Check updates through official RTA channels
  • Follow safety guidelines while commuting

Authorities added that services will continue to stabilise over the coming days as conditions improve.

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Dubai expands cycling network to promote eco-friendly mobility among residents

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Dubai is accelerating its push toward sustainable mobility, with the Roads and Transport Authority announcing the completion of 13 cycling tracks across the emirate as part of a broader 15-track master plan.

The newly developed network spans key corridors, linking areas such as Al Khawaneej to Al Mamzar Beach, Al Warqa’a to Saih Al Salam, and Dubai International Financial Centre to Jumeirah. The tracks form part of a long-term strategy to build a 162-kilometre network and ultimately expand Dubai’s cycling infrastructure to 1,000km by 2030.

According to Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of RTA, the goal is to create a fully integrated transport system where cycling connects residential communities with major destinations and public transport hubs. This approach is aimed at encouraging residents to adopt bicycles and other eco-friendly mobility options for short-distance travel.

Dubai’s efforts have already earned global recognition. The emirate was ranked among the top 100 cycling-friendly cities in the 2025 Copenhagenize Index — becoming the first city in the Middle East to achieve this milestone.

The city’s cycling infrastructure has seen rapid growth, expanding from 560km in 2024 to 636km in 2025. During the same period, cycling trips surged by 23.5 per cent, reaching 57.3 million journeys, while user satisfaction climbed to 85 per cent. Today, over one-fifth of Dubai’s population has access to dedicated cycling facilities.

Further enhancing connectivity, several major pedestrian and cycling bridges are under construction. These include crossings over Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai–Al Ain Road, and Al Khail Road, linking cycling routes across key districts such as Al Sufouh, Dubai Hills, and Jumeirah.

Additional developments include new cycling tracks in residential neighbourhoods like Al Khawaneej 2 and Al Barsha 2, alongside infrastructure upgrades near metro stations, including BurJuman, Baniyas, and Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall. Dedicated tracks for bicycles and e-scooters, as well as improved pedestrian pathways, are also being rolled out across multiple districts.

With more projects set for completion in the coming months, Dubai continues to position itself as a regional leader in sustainable urban mobility and active transportation.

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