Fantasy Chess: Magnus Carlsen and Mats André Kristiansen’s Ambitious Startup with Powerful Backers
Fantasy Chess, a new venture aiming to bring fantasy sports and streaming to the world of chess, has secured powerful backers to support its growth. Founded by chess world champion Magnus Carlsen and led by CEO Mats André Kristiansen, the Norway-based startup has raised $3 million in pre-seed funding from investors including SNÖ Ventures, Coatue, and funds led by billionaires Yuri Milner and Peter Thiel.
The idea for Fantasy Chess stemmed from Carlsen’s desire to bring a new level of excitement to the game after declining to defend his world championship title last year. With the goal of creating engaging content and enhancing the viewing experience for fans, the startup plans to offer fantasy-style games, produce original content, and provide streaming capabilities for elite players in real-world tournaments.
Despite being a newcomer in the industry with no official product and just six employees, Fantasy Chess is capitalizing on the current popularity of chess in pop culture, fueled by shows like “The Queen’s Gambit” and popular streamers like Hikaru Nakamura. With Carlsen’s unparalleled expertise and passion for fantasy sports, the startup is poised to make a significant impact in the chess community.
Investors are betting on the combined backgrounds and unfair advantages of Carlsen and Kristiansen to drive the success of Fantasy Chess. While the startup has yet to generate revenue, plans to monetize through advertising and premium offerings are in the works. Additionally, the potential for partnerships with other elite players and content creators could further expand the reach and impact of the platform.
With Carlsen set to defend his titles in the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships later this year, the pressure is on Fantasy Chess to launch its product and capitalize on the growing interest in the game. As a recently announced film project about a Carlsen-related chess scandal generates buzz, the startup is well-positioned to ride the wave of excitement surrounding the ancient game.
Overall, Fantasy Chess represents a unique and innovative approach to engaging with chess enthusiasts and expanding the reach of the game in the digital age. With powerful backers and a team of passionate individuals at the helm, the startup is poised to make a significant impact on the world of chess.