MAGNUS CARLSEN MAKES HISTORY WITH WORLD’S LARGEST VIRTUAL CHESS MATCH

An Emirati Magazine publication – Released on April 05, 2025 | www.emiratimagazine.com

Magnus Carlsen, the World No. 1 in chess, has once again made history—this time by hosting the largest virtual chess match ever recorded. Known for his dominance across classical, blitz, and rapid formats, Carlsen continues to push boundaries. His latest venture, Magnus vs The World, invited 100,000 participants to face him in an online showdown, breaking all previous participation records. Unlike traditional formats, Carlsen chose Freestyle Chess (Chess960), a variant that randomizes piece placement, prioritizing creativity over memorization.

Image Source: www.wikipedia.org

Playing as white, Carlsen moves individually while the global "World Team" collaborates on black's responses, voting on each move within a 24-hour window. Top coaches like GM Benjamin Bok and IM David Pruess guide the team, making it both competitive and educational. Chess.com’s Sam Copeland praised the event as a groundbreaking step in chess engagement. More than just a game, this initiative marks Carlsen’s bold effort to modernize and globalize the chess experience.