Check & Mate: Chess’s Journey from Stereotypes to Online Stardom
India’s rising Chess star, Praggnanandhaa, came tantalizingly close to defeating the world’s top-ranked chess player, Magnus Carlsen, in the recent Chess World Cup Final. In the process, he knocked out Caruana, Hikaru, and took Magnus to the tiebreaks while also qualifying for the Candidates. He also gained like 20+ points as the cherry on top.
The anticipation for his future victories is palpable. However, beyond Praggnanandhaa’s exceptional performance, there’s a larger story to explore – it is the story of how #chess has evolved into a thriving online sport, attracting both enthusiasts and substantial financial investments.
This began a while back, during Covid outbreak. In the midst of the pandemic, chess experienced an unexpected surge in popularity, and it wasn’t solely due to the timeless allure of the game. Instead, it was propelled by the Netflix miniseries, “The Queen’s Gambit.” This captivating series featured Beth Harmon, a chess prodigy, whose journey through a male-dominated chess world struck a chord with millions of viewers. Her character broke barriers, inspiring countless individuals to take up the game.
However, the current chess resurgence isn’t solely indebted to Beth Harmon. Rather, it owes much of its momentum to a new wave of influencers who have successfully conveyed that online chess can be as exhilarating as virtual worlds like Minecraft and Fortnite. Recent data from Apptopia has revealed a remarkable surge in daily U.S. downloads of the top four mobile chess games across both the Apple and Google app stores.
While schools across the nation grapple with students clandestinely engaging in chess matches on their phones during class, it’s worth noting that some educators welcome this trend, as it fosters strategic thinking and intellectual engagement.
One noteworthy statistic is the remarkable growth of chess-related platforms. Chess.com, for instance, experienced an explosive surge in traffic, with its daily user count doubling from November 2022 to December 2022 and reaching a staggering 12 million users.
Yet, perhaps the most significant catalyst for this chess resurgence is the legion of influencers who have endeared themselves to teenagers. Top chess streamers on platforms like Twitch have amassed over a million followers each, eager to watch and learn from their moves. TikTok, too, has played a pivotal role, with #chess videos garnering a staggering 11.6 billion views. Like Pogchamps was a thing, a lot of streamers kept playing chess after. Streamers have a huge impact on what becomes popular in gaming. Like ‘Among Us’ was literally brought up well after it’s initial launch by streamers. Also we’ve had chess content creators that are more aimed at younger people and beginners like Levy.
Unlike the bygone era of chess, where greatness was synonymous with the likes of Bobby Fischer, today’s chess stardom doesn’t necessitate grandmaster-level expertise. Many influencers, while not among the world’s top players, compensate with their charisma and relatability, making chess accessible and appealing to a broader audience.
Also, the Carlsen-Niemann fiasco in 2022 garnered a lot of headlines for chess. A lot of ink has spilled about this already so we won’t go into detail, but salacious headlines about cheating in the professional chess world brought the game back into popular consciousness. Niemann, then 19, beat Carlsen, the world champion, in an upset that surprised everyone at a rather famous tournament. Carlsen notoriously stormed off and implied Niemann cheated, citing verified times in the past Niemann had done so.
So let’s breakdown this journey of Chess & how has it transformed itself into a popular Online Sport:
- Historical Origins: Chess’s roots trace back to the Gupta Empire in India over 1,500 years ago, with a fascinating anecdote of a battlefield representation. Many historians suggest that Chaturanga, a precursor to chess, originated from this event.
- Chess’s Global Journey: Over centuries, chess traveled through Persia, China, and Europe, evolving into its current form with distinct rules and strategies. India has played a significant role in nurturing chess talent, currently boasting 83 Grandmasters, including two women, and two Indians in the world’s Top 10.
- The Online Chess Boom: The online chess boom began a few years ago, catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic. People turned to puzzles and board games, particularly online, as a pastime. Google searches for chess picked up, and Netflix’s “Queen’s Gambit” series further fueled interest.
- Variations and Streaming: Online chess brought exciting variations, like Bullet chess, with quick three-minute matches. Streaming platforms like Twitch saw a surge in chess-related content, with streamers gaining substantial viewership and income through ads, sponsorships, and merchandise.
- YouTube’s Chess Trend: YouTube reported a staggering 4 billion views on chess-related videos in the first seven months of a year, indicating the widespread fascination with the game.
- Chess.com‘s Ascendancy: Chess.com, a prominent chess website, experienced remarkable growth, with monthly active users soaring from 10 million to 60 million in just three years. The company’s strategic moves, including collaborating with Netflix and acquiring a chess company owned by Magnus Carlsen, have contributed to its impressive valuation of $500 million.
- Chess in the Olympics: Chess has expanded its horizons and is now part of the Olympics e-sports series, further solidifying its global reach.
In essence, the modern chess resurgence is a testament to the power of media, influencers, and the ever-evolving landscape of entertainment and sports. Chess is no longer confined to traditional stereotypes; it has found a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving community online.