Announcing: Magnus Carlsen vs. The World Match Starting April 4!
We're excited to announce Magnus vs. The World, an exclusive Vote Chess match between world number-one GM Magnus Carlsen and members of the Chess.com community. The event starts on April 4 and will mark the first time Carlsen ever participates in a match of this kind!
The match is open to any Chess.com member who wants to get a taste of what it's like to play against the strongest player on earth. This is your opportunity to play against the GOAT and be a part of this historic moment. The match will be a Freestyle Chess (Chess960) game, where the pieces start in a semi-random position.
In 1999, more than 50,000 players joined forces to play against the legendary former world champion GM Garry Kasparov. At the time, the match broke the record and made headlines as the largest chess match in history.
Last year, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of that match by hosting another Vote Chess game against another legendary champion, this time the one and only GM Viswanathan Anand. Nearly 70,000 players joined the match to break the previous record and play a riveting game, where Anand ultimately prevailed.
Now, it's time for the GOAT to take the lead. Not only is this the first time Carlsen will play a match against the general public, but it's also the first time in history that a former world chess champion plays a match of this magnitude in Freestyle Chess. Given Carlsen's immense popularity, the match also has the potential of breaking Anand's record by surpassing the mark of 70,000 participants.
During the match, a group of well-known coaches will be assisting the community. Coaches will provide analysis of the game and explain the ins and outs of every position using the Vote Chess chat. Stay tuned for future announcements revealing the lineup of coaches who will help The World in their battle against Carlsen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Magnus Carlsen beat the entire world?
Yes, almost definitely. And by a wide margin. He is, after all, the best player in the world. Magnus vs. The World is less about winning and more about seizing the rare opportunity to participate in something bigger and be a part of chess history. It's also about the fun of telling your friends that you've played against Carlsen himself.
How does Vote Chess work?
In a Vote Chess match, instead of a single player deciding what move to make, a group of individuals vote on the next move. The game proceeds with the move that got the most votes by the end of the voting period.
In Magnus vs. The World, Carlsen will play by himself with the white pieces. This means that Carlsen alone will determine all the moves that he'll play. The community will play with the black pieces and vote on each move. At the end of each 24-hour voting period, the move with the most votes will be played.
Do I have to vote for every single move?
No, you don't have to vote on every move to participate in this match. Even a single vote is enough to put you on the list of people who played in the event. So, even if you're too busy to play the entire game, you can still be a part of the fun by voting every now and then!
How will coaches communicate with the community?
Coaches will share their thoughts about the game to help community members to come up with better moves. They'll do so through the comment section of the game itself. You'll find it right below the chessboard where the game is happening.
What exactly is Freestyle Chess?
Freestyle Chess is another name for Chess960. It's almost the same as regular chess, with the only difference being that pieces start in a semi-random position. You can learn more about it or play some games of Freestyle Chess to get yourself ready to play against Magnus.
Do you think this match will break the record, reaching at least 70,000 participants? Let us know in the comments below!
