Chess Fans Rejoice: Exciting Games, Record-Breaking Prize Pools, and More Coming in 2021
This year has been an exciting one for chess fans. Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has solidified his status as one of the greatest players of all time, taking home his 15th World Championship title in both rapid and blitz chess.[0] Meanwhile, the Grand Chess Tour has a record-breaking $2 million prize pool, and “The Queen’s Gambit” helped drive more people to the game.
One of the most anticipated events of the year is the Wijk aan Zee tournament, which is currently underway in the Netherlands. World chess champion Magnus Carlsen is seeking his 9th title at the tournament and fans can expect to see some very exciting games.[1]
Another notable chess event is the reenactment of the “Immortal Game” between Adolf Anderssen and Lionel Kieseritzky, which took place in London in 1851.[2] The game is considered to be the epitome of the dashing “romantic” chess of the time and is one of the most famous chess games of all time.[2]
The Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship is also taking place in Seattle.[3] Webster University has won eight of the last ten national tournaments and is vying for yet another win.
The chess community has also seen the rise of online bots, with easy programs for training and instruction as well as bots meant to play in the styles of chess celebrities.[4] But the most popular of these bots is Mittens, whose viral fame has crashed the website through its sheer popularity.
With all of these events and players, the chess community is bound to have a memorable year. Fans can look forward to some spectacular games and can expect to be captivated by the drama and brilliance of the sport.[5]
0. “Norway's chess champ now ‘the greatest' – Norway's News in …” www.newsinenglish.no, 31 Jan. 2023, https://www.newsinenglish.no/2023/01/02/norways-chess-champ-now-the-greatest/
1. “2023 Tata Steel Masters Predictions | Pawnalyze” pawnalyze.com, 31 Jan. 2023, https://pawnalyze.com/tournaments/2023-Tata-Steel-Masters-Chess-Tournament/
2. “Opening Master: Chess Database” www.openingmaster.com, 31 Jan. 2023, https://www.openingmaster.com/
3. “The college national championship (not that one) is this weekend, in …” www.seattletimes.com, 31 Jan. 2023, https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/the-college-national-championship-not-the-one-you-think-is-this-weekend-in-seattle/
4. “Chess.com's Mittens is one brutal chess bot.” slate.com, 31 Jan. 2023, https://slate.com/technology/2023/01/chess-dot-com-mittens-bot.html
5. “2023 Chess Champions Tour announces record-breaking prize pool …” escharts.com, 31 Jan. 2023, https://escharts.com/news/2023-chess-champions-tour-announces-record-breaking-prize-pool-circuit-will-have-new-format
