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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.”

 

Education

CBSE announces new date for answer sheet verification portal

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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has postponed the launch of its online portal for verification, photocopy requests and re-evaluation of answer sheets related to the 2026 board examinations.

The board announced that the Post-Result Activities portal will now go live on June 1 instead of the previously expected schedule.

According to CBSE, the delay is intended to ensure a smoother and more transparent experience for students applying for post-result services following the declaration of board exam results.

In an official statement, the education board said the additional preparation time would help strengthen evaluation protocols and minimise technical issues during the application process.

CBSE added that the revised timeline is aimed at maintaining accuracy and ensuring the system operates efficiently for lakhs of students expected to access the portal for answer book verification and re-evaluation requests.

Students seeking assistance or clarification regarding the process can contact the CBSE Tele-Counselling Helpline or submit queries through the board’s official support email.

The post-result services allow students to apply for answer sheet verification, obtain photocopies of evaluated answer books and request re-evaluation of specific responses after board results are announced.

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Norway Chess 2026: Magnus Carlsen defeats world champion Gukesh in crucial clash

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Round 4 of Norway Chess 2026 produced another dramatic day of elite competition in Oslo, with Magnus Carlsen claiming a crucial victory over reigning world champion Gukesh Dommaraju in the marquee matchup of the day.

Playing with the black pieces, Carlsen navigated a tense, strategically rich encounter before gradually taking control in the middlegame. Although the position remained balanced for long stretches, mounting pressure and severe time trouble eventually pushed Gukesh into inaccuracies that allowed the Norwegian star to convert his advantage into a full classical win.

The victory marks an important turnaround for Carlsen after a difficult opening phase of the tournament and significantly improves his standing before the home crowd.

Tournament leader Alireza Firouzja was held to a classical draw by Wesley So following a cautious positional battle in which neither player managed to create decisive winning chances. Wesley So later secured victory in the Armageddon tiebreak, earning the additional points.

In another closely fought encounter, Vincent Keymer and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu shared the points after a balanced contest featuring opportunities for both players. Praggnanandhaa later triumphed in Armageddon to collect the bonus points.

Despite the Armageddon loss, Firouzja remains at the top of the standings after four rounds, while Carlsen’s classical victory has reignited his challenge near the top of the leaderboard.

The women’s section of the tournament also delivered another intense round, with all three classical games ending in draws before being decided in Armageddon playoffs.

Humpy Koneru and Zhu Jiner fought a tense encounter that remained level throughout, before Zhu Jiner emerged victorious in the Armageddon decider.

Defending women’s world champion Ju Wenjun managed to hold a difficult position against tournament leader Bibisara Assaubayeva in classical play. Assaubayeva later won the Armageddon game to strengthen her lead in the standings.

Meanwhile, Divya Deshmukh pushed strongly for victory against Anna Muzychuk during a complex middlegame battle, but Muzychuk defended resiliently before going on to win the Armageddon tiebreak.

After four rounds, Assaubayeva continues to lead Norway Chess Women, with Muzychuk, Divya and Zhu Jiner remaining firmly in contention as the tournament heads deeper into its decisive stages.

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Crime

Dubai Police issue cybercrime warning over fake banking websites

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Dubai Police has warned residents against purchasing or attempting to use stolen credit cards and banking data being illegally promoted through suspicious websites and social media platforms, stressing that offenders could face severe legal penalties under the UAE’s cybercrime laws.

According to police officials, organised fraud networks operating outside the UAE are increasingly using fake online platforms to advertise stolen financial information, including compromised credit card details and unauthorised banking access.

Officials said criminals were targeting internet users through deceptive websites and online pages designed to lure buyers seeking illegal financial services or discounted payment methods.

Authorities stressed that anyone found purchasing, sharing or using stolen banking information could face imprisonment, in addition to financial penalties reaching up to Dh2 million under federal cybercrime legislation.

Officials explained that many victims unknowingly compromise their own financial information after entering banking details on fake websites carefully designed to imitate trusted companies, online stores or service providers. Cybercriminals also frequently use fraudulent payment links sent through messages, emails or social media platforms to steal card information from unsuspecting users.

Police said stolen banking data is often circulated through organised cybercrime networks, where compromised card details are bought and sold before being used in fraudulent transactions. Authorities noted that the misuse of stolen information may occur days or even weeks after the original breach, making it harder for victims to trace exactly when or where their financial data was exposed.

Dubai Police also urged residents to closely monitor bank accounts and credit card statements and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions immediately. Officials explained that quick reporting significantly improves the chances of freezing fraudulent activity, tracing transactions and recovering stolen funds before larger financial losses occur.

The warning comes as cybercrime and online financial fraud continue to evolve across digital platforms, with authorities repeatedly advising the public to avoid dealing with unverified websites, suspicious online advertisements or unknown payment channels.

Police further encouraged residents to rely only on secure banking applications and official payment platforms when conducting financial transactions online.

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