Magnus Carlsen, the multi-time chess world champion and one of the most renowned players globally, has expressed his belief that adopting an esports-style presentation could revolutionize the professional chess scene.
Speaking at the New Global Sport Conference 2024, Carlsen shared that he, along with many other top chess professionals, believes faster-paced games would enhance the spectator experience. He suggested that hosting these games in an esports-style setting, complete with large stages and high-quality production, could transform chess into a more engaging spectator sport.
“Chess has already made significant strides in the digital world, and it shares many elements with esports,” Carlsen remarked. “I think chess in an esports arena is an exciting prospect. You play chess online, so there is already that component to it – but what we need is a different setting with a louder audience and better presentation. All the top players agree that faster chess is more interesting, that it’s more fun.”
Chess has already found success on platforms like Twitch and other streaming services, but a major chess event featuring the large stages and crowds typical of esports tournaments has yet to materialize. Carlsen’s vision, however, isn’t far-fetched. To create a captivating spectator experience, the format would likely need to shift towards faster-paced variants like rapid or blitz chess.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation and the panel host where Carlsen made his remarks, echoed the sentiment. He believes chess could thrive in an esports setting and, as the leader of an organization that recently hosted one of the largest multi-game esports tournaments in years, he has the influence to make it happen.
“The essence of the Esports World Cup is video games. Games are structured competitions with rules, winners, and losers – that’s what makes them esports,” said Reichert. “Chess, as the original game, fits this definition perfectly. It’s unique because you play chess the same way digitally as you do physically, unlike other sports.”
While it may be ambitious to see chess presented on the same level as the games featured in the Esports World Cup, a smaller test event could be on the horizon, particularly given the world cup’s apparent interest in expanding its game roster.
