Is Chess an eSport? 5 Reasons It Gained Massive Popularity
Chess, a timeless strategic board game, is defying conventional categorization by venturing into the realm of competitive gaming. As esports continues to soar in popularity, chess has embraced online platforms, live streaming, and dedicated communities, blurring the lines between traditional sports and mind sports
So, is Chess an eSport? While some argue that the physicality and rapid-fire action of e-Sports is lacking in chess, others emphasize the strong mental concentration and strategic thinking needed to succeed in the game.
Chess is considered an eSport and has gained a lot of popularity in recent years due to the rise of online platforms that enable players to compete against each other from all over the world. There are several popular online chess tournaments, such as the Chess.com and Grandmaster Blitz Battle series.
Keep reading to learn more about what is considered an eSport and how traditional chess fits these criteria.
What Is an eSport?
Electronic sports, or eSports, are a form of organized competitive video gaming where talented people or groups of people compete against one another in a set environment with money prizes or other benefits frequently on the line.
First-person shooters, fighting games, real-time strategy games, sports games, and other video games can all be a part of esports.
There are eSports events taking place online or in real-world locations, and fans can watch them live or stream them to viewers all over the world. These events have gained a lot of popularity in recent years and are now seen as a mainstream form of entertainment with millions of fans.
Is Chess an eSport?
Yes, the traditional board game is now considered an eSport. The term “esports,” or “electronic sports,” is used to characterize competitive video gaming, but it can also refer to other sporting events, such as online chess tournaments.
Chess has existed mainly in isolation; only those very few who cared about chess played chess online. But, due to a few pivotal events in 2020, things took different turns, and Chess has become increasingly popular as an eSport in recent years,
The main reason behind this popularity is the development of online venues that allow players from around the globe to compete against one another. Moreover, chess has gained more and more traction on streaming sites, particularly Twitch, since the spring of 2020.
The game has caught the attention of many well-known streamers, like xQc, Forsen, Ludwig, and other content producers. At first, they only played against one another; later, they began participating in local competitions.
As more players and supporters learn about the game’s competitive and entertainment appeal, chess as an eSport will likely continue to expand in the years to come. So, maybe now is the time to start taking it seriously and participate in tournaments with prizes!
How Is Chess Played as an eSport?
These are only a few instances of chess being played as an eSport. However, future chess tournaments and events are projected to increase as online chess playing and streaming platforms continue to expand.
- The Chess.com Grandmaster Blitz Battle series: Some of the top chess players in the world are participating in this series of online competitions, playing in blitz games that move quickly.
- The FIDE Online Olympiad: The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is hosting a team-based online chess tournament that gathers players from all around the world to compete for their nations. You can check their schedule.
- Chess24’s Banter Blitz: This well-known online program allows chess players of all skill levels to compete in blitz matches against the best Grandmasters while the match is live-streamed and discussed by the competitors. Here’s how you can participate.
- The Speed Chess Championship: Some of the top chess players in the world are competing in this online tournament, which Chess.com is hosting. Matches will be played in quick and blitz time controls.
- The PRO Chess League: Professional chess players from all over the world participate in this team-based online chess league to compete for their teams. There are 16 teams competing in the event, playing quick games for a share of the $150,000 prize pool.
Why Is Chess the Hottest e-Sport This Year?
Who would have believed that in 2023, an ancient board game from more than 1,500 years ago would be categorized as an eSports?
Chess has undoubtedly seen significant development and attention over the recent years, and it has become a well-liked eSport for several reasons, including:
- Accessibility: Chess is an easy game to learn, yet it has a high ability ceiling that permits complex gameplay and sophisticated strategy. No matter their level of gaming experience, a large spectrum of players and viewers may access it because of this.
- Intellectual appeal: A wide range of people who appreciate mental challenges and problem-solving may find chess to be appealing because it is frequently viewed as a game of intelligence and strategy.
- The emergence of charismatic players: Chess has become more widely played and more interesting to watch because of the growth of online chess playing and streaming platforms that have made it possible for charismatic players to shine. Carlsen has even declared that he will stop playing live games until at least 2024 and devote his attention to online chess competitions.
- COVID-19 pandemic: now, this is predictable, isn’t it? A rise in interest in online activities like gaming and esports, including chess, has resulted from the pandemic’s forced cancellation or postponement of numerous traditional sporting and entertainment events.
- The Queen Gambit’s release: The arrival of the Netflix series Queen’s Gambit also had an impact on chess’s appeal. It took 30 years to create, but it was finally released just in time for Twitch’s second wave of chess popularity to rise.
Are Online Chess Tournaments Different From Traditional Ones?
Online tournaments differ from traditional over-the-board (OTB) tournaments. Here are some of the key differences:
- Playing environment: Players engage in their games face-to-face with their opponents in a physical setting, such as a tournament hall, during traditional OTB events. Players can participate in online chess competitions from any location worldwide as long as they have an internet connection and the necessary equipment.
- Time controls: Time restrictions for games in online chess tournaments typically range from a few minutes to thirty minutes or more, which is shorter than in regular OTB tournaments. This is so that internet games can be played faster than physical games.
- Technical issues: Technical problems, such as poor connectivity, server outages, or device malfunctions, can interfere with gaming and change the results of games in online tournaments.
- Atmosphere: As players cannot interact with each other or the audience in the same manner that they may in a typical OTB event, an online chess tournament has a different atmosphere. Although live-streaming commentary or chat facilities may be available during online tournaments to give a social component, they cannot replace the in-person experience.
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