How Online Chess Became Part of the Cybersports Arena

Playing chess online now is easy: all you need is a device, whether it's a computer or a phone and a stable internet connection. What's even more interesting — platforms that provide constant access to games have started hosting their own online chess tournaments. These, in turn, have gradually transformed into a full-fledged e-sports arena, recognized by chess enthusiasts around the world. The opportunity to win valuable prizes, prove yourself as a professional chess player, and enjoy a host of other benefits — that's what web chess is all about today.

From the Classic Board to the Digital Arena

The symbolism of chess has never lost its essence, and with the transition to the online format, it has shown itself from a new side. Even more than that, the online chess arena has helped thousands of chess players play their favorite game without leaving their homes, and not only with neighbors or people from nearby areas, but also with players from all over the world.

Later, the game became even more significant: a rating system was added, matches were broadcast live, and the prize fund consisted of real money and titles — online chess became a full-fledged e-sports niche, which the best of the best still strive to occupy.

The First Step Towards Esports

Fast growth of online chess sites never stopped, but a really turning point in 2020, — the year of the pandemic, — made the game take a big leap forward: the International Chess Federation (FIDE) organized the 2020 Online Nations Cup. It was, in fact, a big international tournament that was organized fully online — the first of its kind.

Teams from many countries took part in the Online Nations Cup 2020 — it was a turning point for digital chess. Matches, which were played in a rapid format of 25 minutes with an additional 10 seconds per move, were shown live to viewers on all continents. China's team ultimately won the championship and drew the attention of thousands of viewers around the world, proving: game of chess online can be as competitive as any traditional esports discipline.

Why Chess Fits into Esports

A striking feature of chess, as with other online games, is perhaps the effort that players put into preparing for competitions and during matches. They require attention and a certain level of skill, which can only be achieved by playing hundreds of games. The chess sites have reinforced these qualities, and in some cases even emphasized them.

Virtual chess is now a fully-fledged digital sport, and there is no denying it.

How the Format of the Game has Changed

Any online chess tournaments have long since ceased to be limited to classic games and have fully embraced the diversity of playing styles. These include:

• Blitz — 3–5 minutes per player;
• Bullet — 1 minute per player;
• Rapid — 10 to 25 minutes per player.

These game speeds are closer to e-sports, as they are dynamic and spectacular for viewers. And if we take into account the fact that many players have started streaming their games, explaining their moves, or professional commentators at tournaments, watching a single match can draw even the most uninformed viewers into the essence of the game. The secret is simple — it's fun and accessible to everyone, which is why chess online games are becoming more popular every day.

The E-sports Audience for Chess

The low barrier to entry, thanks to convenient chess websites and a friendly community, has allowed a new audience to quickly become fascinated with chess — many of them have not only started playing chess, but also become interested in live broadcasts of matches. With videos analyzing famous games and the influx of attention to chess streams, chess is able to hold the audience's attention just as well as video games. On some platforms, chess broadcasts have reached millions of views per month.

Chess as Part of Digital Sports

The lion's share of chess competitions are already held online, as the digital format allows tournaments of any scale to be held, from amateur to international. During matches on any online chess competition, players use a video monitoring and identification system, as well as AI analysis to check games.

The wide variety of useful tools within chess tournament online platforms leads many to believe that such events will become a permanent part of the esports calendar, which undoubtedly pleases the most ardent fans.

How to Get Started in Online Chess

If you are feeling tempted to play chess online on online chess websites and want to experience the new tournament format in action, simply follow these simple instructions:

• Find a chess platform or chess game website that you like;
• Check out the list of upcoming chess tournaments;
• Learn the requirements for participating;
• Hit the search button for your first online chess match.

The Future of Chess in Esports

FIDE keeps pushing chess competition in online format forward without any reason to stop: the number of viewers and players is growing every year, and tournament platforms are getting more and more useful functions that make things easier not only for organizers but also for the players themselves. At the same time, the game itself remains classic and has the pace chosen by the chess players themselves.

Conclusion

The e-sports scene, known for its dynamism and large audience worldwide, has welcomed online chess and its tournaments "with open arms". The best chess online now combines a rating system, smart matchmaking, and real rewards for virtual games, clearly demonstrating that the era of global and technological competition has arrived.