MGD1

Rising Chess Power: India’s Moment of Glory I had goosebumps watching the final moments of D. Gukesh conquering the FIDE World Chess Championship. As a lifelong sports fan, the significance of Gukesh’s win is still sinking in! Having spent over three years immersed professionally in the world of chess, I can confidently say that the emotions of the last three months have been unparalleled. From the Twin Olympiad Golds in Budapest to the global spectacle of the Global Chess League—featuring India’s best male and female talents—and now Gukesh clinching the ultimate crown, the Indian chess story is entering a golden chapter. It’s not just about the victory (though Gukesh was the clear favourite). It’s about the larger picture: what lies ahead for Indian chess. The Emerging Icons of Indian Chess Gukesh is part of a transformative quartet—the Indian Fab Four—comprising D. Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Vidit Gujarathi. Together, they are pushing each other to unparalleled heights of greatness. Meanwhile, in women’s chess, Divya Deshmukh has emerged as the World Junior Chess Champion, poised to join the illustrious ranks of Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, and R Vaishali. The talent pool doesn’t stop there. Rising stars like Nihal Sarin, Raunak Sadhwani and others following these stars. No other sport in India—barring cricket—can claim such depth, with a world champion and prominent rankings in the top 10/50/100 across men and women. The sight of young Indian players dominating tournaments is nothing short of inspiring. Gukesh’s triumph represents the tip of the spear, heralding a new era for Indian chess. A Collective Effort To say I have a front-row seat to this transformation is an understatement. I’ve witnessed the concerted efforts of legendary Viswanathan Anand, the strategic focus of the All India Chess Federation, the unwavering support of the Government of India, and FIDE’s mission to elevate chess in India. These foundational pillars are complemented by trailblazers like ChessBase India’s Sagar Shah, Chess.com, NODWIN Gaming and MGD1 relentless backing of chess players. Together, this ecosystem is setting the stage for India to build a legacy in chess, powered by talent, strategy, and vision. Building Aspirations with the Global Chess League At this pivotal juncture, it’s an honor to lead Tech Mahindra Global Chess League. Our mission is to ignite aspiration and inspiration among chess fans, bring in new audiences, and drive the commercial sustainability needed for long-term growth. Watching this young generation perform, interacting with them, and learning from their perspectives is a privilege I deeply cherish. A Tectonic Shift in Indian Sport For now, let us savor this tectonic moment in Indian sport. In the digital age, a young Indian teenager has conquered the pinnacle of a game that originated in this very land thousands of years ago. If that doesn’t give you goosebumps, I don’t know what will!

As Chennai Grand Masters 2024 concludes, we reflect on the exceptional display of skill and determination that defined the tournament. The event delivered excitement until the very last move, showcasing both established and emerging talents. We are filled with gratitude and pride as we close the chapter on this year's unforgettable edition. It was great to witness Aravindh winning his first Super GM tournament, and Pranav's dominating finish in the Challengers section. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the players, sponsors, volunteers, the audience, and everyone involved behind the scenes. You all made this event a reality. We look forward to seeing you again at the next edition! Sreekar Channapragada | Manu Gurtu

MGD1, with support from ChessBase India, and sponsorship from the Tamil Nadu government, is back with the second edition of Chennai Grand Masters! The tournament kicks off today. Along with the Masters event, we also have a Challengers section this year, with 8 Indian talents. The tournament will be taking place at the Anna Centenary Library auditorium, Chennai. Round 1 starts at 3 PM local time. We welcome you all to watch the games live at the venue. Tickets for the same are available on BookMyShow. Ticket link: https://lnkd.in/dZCTNz_Y Sreekar Channapragada | Manu Gurtu | Srinath Narayanan

A press conference was held before the onset of Chennai Grand Masters 2024. Grandmasters Srinath Narayanan, Vaishali Rameshbabu, IAS Atulya Mishra and IAS J. Meghanatha Reddy spoke to the media about the tournament. Check out the excerpts from the press conference here: https://lnkd.in/dsquv9re

Honouring excellence in sports! The recent felicitation ceremony in Hyderabad recognised the remarkable achievements of our Chess Champions, who won the Gold Medals at the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad. A proud moment for MGD1, Pravaha Foundation and Mytrah Energy. https://lnkd.in/daCe-Xi3 Sreekar Channapragada | Manu Gurtu

Chennai Grand Masters 2024 MGD1 in association with ChessBase India is back with the second edition of Chennai Grand Masters. The tournament features 8 top class players in the Masters section. We also have a Challengers section this year, featuring 8 Indian talents. With a prize pool of INR 70 Lakh, the tournament will start on November 5th, at the Anna Centenary Library, Chennai. Stay tuned to witness India's strongest Super GM tournament!

October started with the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League Season 2 kicking off in London. MGD1 had the privilege of working as team management for the debutants, American Gambits. This was an incredible journey marked by strategy, teamwork, and unforgettable moments on and off the board. The team finished at the fourth position on the final leaderboard. A heartfelt thank you to our players and coach, and to every fan out there who helped us make this experience better. Thank you Prachura Padakannaya for trusting us Onwards and upwards to our next goal! Manu Gurtu | Sreekar Channapragada

The 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad is currently underway. It's one of the biggest events in chess. The Indian squad is one of the strongest to be participating. This year, the organizers have also focused on sustainability, and the tables are all made of cardboard (which will be later recycled). Read more about the Olympiad at the link below! https://lnkd.in/dCVMurq6

Team MGD1 wins the silver medal at the World Blitz Team Championship! We are grateful to the players to have represented our team and very proud of each & everyone! https://lnkd.in/dGGwQabV

Congratulations Arjun on reaching India No. 1 and World No. 4 in Chess! https://lnkd.in/dAMA7ige