2023: A Year of Chess Highlights and Achievements
2023 was truly an amazing year for Chess.com, with a lot of exciting events and developments taking place. Let’s take a moment to recap some of the highlights from the year.
First and foremost, the 2023 World Chess Championship was a thrilling event that saw Ding Liren emerge victorious against Ian Nepomniachtchi in the finals. The absence of top players like Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, and others made for an unexpected and exciting competition.
One standout performance from the year came from Hans Niemann, who delivered an impressive showing in a top tournament. His skill and dedication to the game were truly commendable.
Chess.com’s bots also played a significant role in enhancing the playing experience for users. These computer opponents provided a challenging and competitive environment for players to practice and improve their skills at different difficulty levels.
In addition to the competitive side of chess, the year also saw the rise of popular chess YouTubers like Gotham Chess (Levy Rozman) and Hikaru Nakamura. These content creators brought chess to a wider audience through their engaging videos and streams, inspiring many to learn and enjoy the game.
Chess.com also ventured into collaborations with other apps like Clash of Clans and Duolingo, introducing new game modes like Spell Chess. The platform saw a staggering 12.5 billion games played in 2023, with one player, @bleuletalonoir, standing out for playing an incredible 177,000 games.
As Chessable celebrated its 10th anniversary, Chess.com hosted some of the most popular events of the year, including the FIDE World Championship, FIDE World Cup, and PogChamps. These events attracted large viewership and showcased the diverse and exciting world of chess.
As we look forward to 2024, it’s clear that chess continues to grow in popularity and reach new audiences. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, there’s something for everyone in the world of chess. Here’s to another great year ahead!