Exciting Announcement: 2024 BetterHelp Masters – Second Leg of Champions Chess Tour with Focus on Mental Health
Chess.com has announced the highly anticipated 2024 BetterHelp Masters, the second leg of this year’s prestigious $1.7 million Champions Chess Tour. This event, focused on mental health, will kick off on May 8 and conclude on May 15, marking the midway point of the Tour’s regular season.
Following his victory in the Chessable Masters, world number-one GM Magnus Carlsen has gained direct entry into Division I of the BetterHelp Masters. Joining him will be GM Alireza Firouzja and Vincent Keymer, who won Division II. All three players have confirmed their participation in the event.
Other top players such as Denis Lazavik, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Levon Aronian, and Alexey Sarana have also earned spots in the Divisional Placement stage of the BetterHelp Masters qualifying process based on their performances in the Chessable Masters. They will have the opportunity to qualify for Division I.
The BetterHelp Masters not only showcases sporting excellence online but also highlights BetterHelp’s market-leading focus on online therapy. The event coincides with Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S., which runs throughout May.
As part of the partnership, BetterHelp is offering Chess fans 20% off their first month of therapy to promote mental health support and increase access to resources. Fans can claim this offer by visiting betterhelp.com/chesscom.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Chess.com to spread the word about mental health in the pro Chess community,” said Olivier Sinson, Senior Director of Partnership Development at BetterHelp. Chess.com’s CEO, Erik Allebest, added, “Chess teaches us the value of strategic thinking and resilience, essential qualities of personal growth. Partnering with BetterHelp underscores a shared belief in nurturing the mind as the cornerstone of well-being.”
The players will compete for a prize pool of $300,000 and CCT points, with the top players at the end of the regular season’s four online events qualifying for the live CCT Finals.
The BetterHelp Masters will follow the familiar Champions Chess Tour format, with 56 players sorted into three divisions. The event’s qualifier for non-GM titled players begins on May 3, with the Play-in starting on May 8. Fans can watch the live broadcast of the event on Chess.com/TV, Twitch, and YouTube channels.