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Global Edition•Sports
October 16, 2026•1 view
News Brief

Anish Giri's Unexpected Leadership Propels She Plays to Win to 4NCL Victory

She Plays to Win Lionesses, an all-female team, won successive promotions to the top division of the 4NCL British League.

Anish Giri's Unexpected Leadership Propels She Plays to Win to 4NCL Victory
Image: TheguardianCredit: Image: Theguardian
Multi-Source Verification:Synthesized across 1 independent reporting sources.
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In Brief

  • •She Plays to Win Lionesses, an all-female team, won successive promotions to the top division of the 4NCL British League.
  • •Despite expectations of being outclassed, the team proved a revelation in the top flight.
  • •GM Anish Giri, world No. 11, was hired to lead the team, marking the highest-rated player to compete in the 4NCL.
  • •The team's manager, IM Lorin D'Costa, and top female player, IM Eline Roebers, also contributed to the team's success.

Why It Matters

This victory highlights the growing prominence of women's chess and the impact of high-profile players on team dynamics. It also underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion in sports, as the team's success was achieved without male players. The team's achievements could inspire other women's sports teams and promote the growth of chess among young girls and women.

Key Details

Team Name
She Plays to Win Lionesses
League
Four Nations Chess League (4NCL)
Division
Top Division
Key Player
GM Anish Giri
Manager
IM Lorin D'Costa
Top Female Player
IM Eline Roebers

Context & Background

The 4NCL British League introduced a rule that top division teams must include at least one player of each sex to promote women's chess. This rule was a significant factor in the team's decision to hire GM Anish Giri.

Original Reporting & Sources

VNews is an independent briefing product. Original reporting remains credited to the following publishers:

Theguardian
Primary Source
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