Chess.com Hits 200 Million Members - A Milestone for Online Chess

Chess.com Celebrates Significant Membership Growth

A noteworthy milestone has been achieved by Chess.com as the platform approaches its 20th anniversary. The online chess platform has now exceeded 200 million registered members.

Membership and Daily Activity

Out of this substantial user base, 1.5 million individuals maintain paid memberships. A remarkable statistic reveals that over 20 million chess games are played on the platform each day.

Durability and Evolution of the Platform

According to Albert Cheng, Chess.com’s chief growth officer, “Chess possesses an inherent longevity.” He explained to TechCrunch that the game’s history spans over 1,500 years, a truly impressive duration. He also noted that Chess.com itself has been a dynamic presence for nearly two decades.

From Forum to Comprehensive Chess Hub

The company’s origins lie in an online forum where players of in-person chess could discuss their games. Today, Chess.com provides a comprehensive experience, including full chess matches against human opponents or computer AI, daily chess challenges and puzzles, current chess news, and live streaming of chess tournaments.

Innovation Drives Continued Expansion

Cheng attributes the company’s consistent growth to ongoing product development and innovation. As an example, he highlighted the introduction of an AI-powered game review feature in 2021. This feature utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze a player’s performance and identify areas for improvement.

Attracting New Players

He further stated that a significant portion of new users are beginners. The platform is designed to accommodate all skill levels, and features like the AI game review are intended to cultivate a passion for the game among these new members.

Pandemic-Related Surge in Popularity

Chess.com experienced a substantial increase in interest during the recent pandemic. As individuals sought online entertainment options during COVID-19 lockdowns, the platform had to significantly expand its infrastructure to meet the heightened demand.

Cultural Impact and Notable Events

The popularity of chess was further amplified by Netflix’s miniseries, “The Queen’s Gambit,” released in 2020. Subsequent events, including a high-profile cheating scandal involving world champion Magnus Carlsen in 2022, have continued to generate interest in the game. Competitive chess is also scheduled to make its debut at the Esports World Cup this year.

Global Reach and Emerging Champions

The game’s appeal is becoming increasingly global, with approximately 85% of new registrations originating outside of the United States. Notably, the current World Champion, Gukesh Dommaraju, is from India.

Leveraging Adjacent Communities

Cheng, formerly a leader at Grammarly and Duolingo, observes a constant emergence of new prominent chess players. He cited the recent online chess match between Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as an example of expanding interest.

Future Opportunities

“The potential for growth is substantial,” Cheng concluded. “We must capitalize on the existing organic interest within related communities to further expand the game’s reach.” He expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities that lie ahead.