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Chess.com is celebrating a monumental achievement, crossing 200 million members and proving that the game of kings has never been more popular.
With over 20 million games played every day, the platform has cemented its place as the go-to destination for chess players around the globe.
Albert Cheng, Chess.com’s Chief Growth Officer, reflected on the platform’s incredible growth, pointing out that chess has stood the test of time for over 1,500 years. “It’s been played for centuries, and Chess.com has been around for almost 20 years. It feels incredibly dynamic,” he said.
How Chess.com Came to Stardom
What began as an online forum for chess enthusiasts to discuss their matches has evolved into a full-blown chess powerhouse, offering live matches against players or bots, daily puzzles, chess news, and streaming of major tournaments. In 2021, Chess.com introduced a groundbreaking AI-powered game review feature that helps players analyze their moves and improve their skills.
The surge in interest in chess, especially during the pandemic, has fueled Chess.com’s rapid expansion. The release of Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit in 2020 sparked a global chess renaissance, and Chess.com has capitalized on this momentum. The platform even had to upgrade its infrastructure to handle the influx of new players during the pandemic.
Adding to the excitement, Chess.com is now making its way into the world of Esports. Competitive chess will be featured in the Esports World Cup for the first time this year, opening up new avenues for the game’s growing fanbase.
Cheng also pointed to the increasing international reach of Chess.com, with 85% of new users now coming from outside the U.S. The chess world itself is also becoming more diverse, with India’s Gukesh Dommaraju reigning as the current World Champion.
Future Path
As the platform gears up for its 20th anniversary, Cheng remains optimistic about Chess.com’s future. “The sky’s the limit,” he says. “We’re excited about the opportunity to gr
ow the game even further by tapping into new communities and fueling that organic interest in chess.”
The next chapter for Chess.com is looking brighter than ever, and with 200 million members and counting, the game of chess is only getting started.
