In an unusual chess dynamic, R Praggnanandhaa, Anish Giri, and Fabiano Caruana are currently teammates in the Global Chess League (GCL), representing the Alpine SG Pipers. The fast-paced team tournament has brought together some of the world’s top grandmasters, allowing them to collaborate, strategize, and compete as a unit.
Yet, the camaraderie on the GCL boards masks a looming rivalry. All three players are set to participate in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the elite event that determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship. While they work toward a common goal in the league, the stakes will shift dramatically once the Candidates begin, where every point matters and alliances vanish.
Speaking about this unique situation, Giri compared their interactions to a “poker game,” where each conversation or insight could potentially influence a future opponent. Caruana echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that while there is no hostility, the professional rivalry is inevitable once the team event ends.
Currently, Praggnanandhaa is fully focused on the GCL and plans to begin intensive Candidates preparation afterward. Meanwhile, Giri and Caruana have already started mapping out strategies for their individual battles. Giri noted that engaging with other contenders during the league gives him valuable insight into their mindset, an advantage he hopes to carry into the Candidates.
The Global Chess League is scheduled to conclude on December 23, 2025, after which the players will switch gears toward the Candidates Tournament, slated from March 28 to April 16, 2026. Fans will soon see this trio transition from collaborators to fierce competitors in the race to challenge the reigning world champion.
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