Bughouse World Championship Kicks Off Today – Join the Fun!

Chess.com’s Bughouse World Championship begins today, and it’s your chance to experience the fast-paced, thrilling chess variant loved by players worldwide! Whether you’re a seasoned Bughouse expert or a curious beginner, this event has something for everyone. Team up with a friend, join the arenas, and battle your way to glory!

What is Bughouse?

Bughouse is a unique team-based chess variant played on two boards simultaneously. Each team has two players, and the pieces captured by one player can be used by their teammate on their board. This dynamic gameplay emphasizes quick decision-making, teamwork, and communication.

Open Section and Challengers Section

The tournament features two sections to cater to players of all skill levels:

1. Open Section
   Open to all players, regardless of their Bughouse rating.
   Duration: 90 minutes
   Time Control: 2 minutes per player

   Arenas Schedule:

   • Arena 1: January 18, 20:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 2: January 19, 05:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 3: January 19, 20:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 4: January 25, 20:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 5: January 26, 05:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 6: January 26, 20:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 7: January 27, 05:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 8: January 27, 12:00 CET – Join here

2. Challengers Section
   Designed for players with a Bughouse rating under 2200.
   Duration: 60 minutes
   Time Control: 3 minutes per player

   Arenas Schedule:

   • Arena 1: January 18, 18:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 2: January 19, 03:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 3: January 19, 18:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 4: January 22, 18:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 5: January 23, 03:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 6: January 25, 18:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 7: January 26, 03:00 CET – Join here
   • Arena 8: January 26, 18:00 CET – Join here

How to Join

1. Pick Your Partner: Find a Bughouse partner to team up with.
2. Join the Club:
   • Open Section: Join here
   • Challengers Section: Join here
3. Enter the Arenas: Use the links above to join your preferred events.

Advancing to the Next Stage

The top four players from both sections will advance to the next round. If you don’t wish to continue or if you qualify with different partners, let us know which partner you want to advance with.

Live Coverage and Commentary

Follow the action with live streams and analysis from top Bughouse creators:

• Chuck Moulton:
  Twitch | YouTube
• NoChewyCandy:
  Twitch | YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why is it called the 2024 championship instead of 2025?
A: The tournament usually starts in November, but this year it began in January. The name reflects its traditional timeline.

Q: How do I check if I qualify for the Challengers Section?
A: Go to Chess.com > Profile > Stats > Bughouse > Change 90 days to All time. Your highest rating will be displayed.

Q: Why did I get a random partner in the arena?
A: You need to partner up before joining the arena. Follow this guide to partner up:
Chess.com > Play > Bughouse > Custom > Choose Partner.

Please join the challengers club as soon as possible. Because we manually approve the players.

Team Up and Have Fun!

Bughouse is all about teamwork and camaraderie. Use voice chat platforms like Discord, Facebook, or Skype to coordinate with your partner during games. Above all, enjoy the tournament and embrace the excitement of Bughouse!