The State of Chess: Updates on Community, Fair Play, Site, and Media
The State of Chess returned on Thursday with Chief Chess Officer Danny Rensch leading the discussion on community updates, fair play changes, site updates, and big media developments. Here are the highlights from the event:
1. Community Updates:
– Chess.com launched the Chess Events app on Android and iOS.
– The Chess Events Dashboard was launched.
– Gameplay Animations were officially launched.
– New design for Game Review is rolling out.
– Stats in Puzzles can now be checked.
– Hotkeys added to Analysis (Shift+D).
– Ability to hide ratings in games added in settings.
2. Fair Play Changes:
– A new study estimated the cheating rate in Titled Tuesday to be less than 2% for most events.
– Closures of Titled Players who violate Fair Play will now be publicly displayed on their accounts.
– All Titled Players must use the new program “Proctor” when playing in prize events.
– In-person proctoring of players in high-stakes events like the Speed Chess Championship and Champions Chess Tour.
3. Latency & Next Steps:
– Chess.com is working on improving lag by bringing servers closer to users.
– Over 50% of games are now played at the Realtime Chess Network (RCN).
– Recent lag issues affecting high-profile events like the Clash of Claims and Bullet Chess Championship have been resolved.
4. Chess Media:
– VP of Media & Content Alex Leibow shared his vision for Chess.com content, focusing on player-focused storytelling.
– Documentaries featuring GM Jose Martinez and behind-the-scenes footage at the Clash of Claims are in the works.
– The 2022 Speed Chess Championship premieres on ESPN 2 on August 3.
– Plans for more storytelling content similar to popular sports documentary series.
5. Live Q&A:
– Danny Rensch answered questions from the community on topics like Leagues, Game Review design, banning players, fair play forums, and more.
– Chess.com is actively addressing issues like targeting women on the platform and taking action against abusive accounts.
Overall, the State of Chess event provided valuable insights into the current developments and future plans for Chess.com. Watch the full video for more details or stay tuned for the next State of Chess update.