•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Magnus Carlsen has praised the growing popularity of chess in India while speaking about his experience at the 2026 Global Chess League in Bengaluru.
World No. 1 chess star Magnus Carlsen has praised the strong interest in chess among Indian fans during the ongoing Global Chess League (GCL) 2026.
Carlsen is representing defending champions Alpine APL Pipers in Bengaluru. Although the Norwegian has not had his best individual start, his team has been performing strongly and moved to the top of the league table.
After four games, Carlsen had recorded one win and three draws. His only win came against Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand, when Anand lost the game on time.
Speaking about the atmosphere in Bengaluru, Carlsen said he was happy to see large crowds supporting the sport.
“The team is doing fantastic. Three wins out of four is great. My performance has been a bit underwhelming, but since the team is doing well, I am happy. It is nice to see good crowds here. Chess in India is massive.”
Carlsen’s comments highlight the growing popularity of chess in India, where a new generation of players has emerged in recent years.
Despite Carlsen’s modest individual results, Alpine APL Pipers have made a strong start to the tournament. The defending champions were sitting at the top of the table with 9 match points from four games after three wins.
Indian players K. Humpy and Vidit Gujrathi have also played an important role in the team’s strong run, with both recording three wins in their opening four games.
Carlsen has also attracted attention for his unusual opening against Uzbek star Javokhir Sindarov. The Norwegian later revealed that the idea came from a misclick by his coach during training, which they eventually turned into an interesting opening idea.
The 2026 Global Chess League is being held in Bengaluru from September 5 to 13, bringing several of the world’s top chess players together in India.
For Carlsen, the tournament has offered more than just competition — it has also given him a chance to experience the growing passion for chess among Indian fans.
