Eight of the world top 12 are competing in the Global Chess League at Friends House, Euston, from 3-12 October, with spectator tickets bookable online

There is a unique opportunity to watch the world elite in action in London this week. The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League (GCL) has Norway’s world No 1, Magnus Carlsen, as its absolute star, and also includes seven others from the world’s top 12: Hikaru Nakamura (United States), Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and Vishy Anand (India), Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan), Alireza Firouzja (France), and Wei Yi (China), as well as the world’s top rated woman, Hou Yifan (China).

Russia’s world No 9 and double world title challenger, Ian Nepomniactchi ,along with two other Russian GMs, Alexander Grischuk and Vladislav Artemiev, were apparently denied UK visas. Russian women GMs, however, are competing, including Grischuk’s wife, Kateryna Lagno.