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Viswanathan Anand Predicts Chess Growth in Australia, Suggests Sydney Cricket Ground as Global League Host

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Anand: Australian Chess Poised for Major Growth, Global Chess League Eyes Expansion

Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand believes Australia's chess landscape is set for significant expansion, attributing this potential to robust engagement levels, particularly within the country's schools. Anand, a five-time Chess World Champion and current deputy president of FIDE, the sport's governing body, highlighted the promising trajectory of Australian chess.

A Developing Chess Community

While Australia has historically seen a limited number of grandmasters—with only 10 FIDE-awarded Australian grandmasters since 1950—Anand observes a transformative period. He notes the emergence of a vibrant chess community that could soon lead to an increase in grandmaster titles.

"Australia's chess scene is positioned for significant growth, citing high engagement levels, particularly within schools, as a key factor," Anand stated.

Global Chess League Eyes Australian Expansion

Anand also shed light on the Global Chess League (GCL), a new franchise competition launched in 2023. The GCL draws inspiration from cricket's highly successful Indian Premier League, aiming to bring a similar dynamic to professional chess. Anand himself has been a prominent figure, serving as the lead player for the Ganges Grandmasters in all three GCL seasons.

He suggested the GCL holds substantial potential for expansion into new markets, with Australia being a prime candidate due to its cultural openness to new sports formats. Following a visit to the historic site, Anand specifically mentioned the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) as a potential future venue for the GCL. This optimism was echoed by Harshvendra Soin of Tech Mahindra, a co-venture partner for the GCL, who also expressed strong confidence in Australian chess and the SCG as a host location for the league's finals.

The Global Chess League has potential for expansion into new markets, including Australia, with the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) highlighted as a potential future venue for the league's finals.