Carlsen: Esports Style Could Revitalize Chess

Magnus Carlsen, the world-renowned chess grandmaster and multiple-time world champion, has expressed his belief that integrating esports-style presentation into professional chess could significantly enhance its appeal. Speaking at the New Global Sport Conference 2024, Carlsen highlighted the potential benefits of adopting a more dynamic, esports-inspired approach to the game, suggesting it could transform chess into a more engaging spectator sport.

Carlsen’s comments underscore a growing sentiment among chess professionals that faster-paced formats of the game, combined with high-energy esports-style production, could attract a broader audience. “Chess has already embraced the digital realm and incorporates many elements of esports,” Carlsen remarked. “The idea of presenting chess in an esports arena is an exciting one. Although we play chess online, the experience would benefit from a more vibrant setting with a louder audience and enhanced presentation. Top players unanimously agree that faster chess formats are more engaging and enjoyable.”

Despite chess’s established presence on streaming platforms like Twitch, where it has garnered significant popularity, the sport has yet to experience a major event featuring the grand stages and high-energy crowds typical of esports tournaments. The prospect of incorporating such elements into chess events remains intriguing but challenging. Given the nature of traditional chess games, which can be lengthy and intricate, it is likely that any adaptation would involve faster formats such as rapid or blitz chess to maintain spectator interest.

The panel where Carlsen voiced his opinions was moderated by Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation. Reichert, whose organization recently hosted one of the largest multi-game esports tournaments in years, also supports the idea of integrating chess into the esports arena. “The essence of the Esports World Cup is rooted in video games,” Reichert explained. “Games, by nature, are structured competitions with clear rules and outcomes, which makes them suitable for the esports format. Chess, as the original game, fits this model well, even though its digital and physical forms are fundamentally the same. This makes it an intriguing candidate for esports adaptation, unlike other sports like football, which have entirely different dynamics.”

Reichert’s endorsement adds weight to Carlsen’s vision and suggests that chess might find a place on the esports stage in the near future. While it may be unlikely to see chess presented with the same scale and spectacle as some of the games featured in the Esports World Cup, a smaller-scale test event could be a feasible starting point. This would allow organizers to explore how chess can be adapted to fit the esports mold while maintaining its traditional essence.

The New Global Sport Conference also featured insights from notable figures in both traditional sports and esports. Patrice Evra, a renowned footballer, and Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, a Counter-Strike legend, provided their perspectives on the intersection of sports and esports. Becca Henry, senior brand communications manager at G2 Esports, also shared her thoughts on the evolving landscape of esports.

Overall, Carlsen’s vision for a more esports-oriented chess presentation reflects a broader trend of blending traditional games with modern, high-energy formats to capture new audiences. As the esports industry continues to expand, the integration of chess into this vibrant world could offer exciting new possibilities for both the game and its fans.