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CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Magnus Carlsen says chess is ‘made for the digital age' amid esports integration
Carlsen says a lot of his chess practice is done online, rather than over the board. (Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters via CNN Newsource) The world of chess has been going through somewhat of an evolution in recent years, and it's showing no signs of slowing down. The ancient game's popularity boom has been well documented, owing in part to the rise of online formats during the Covid-19 pandemic and the reputational boost provided by mainstream media, such as the Netflix series 'The Queen's Gambit.' Since then, chess' move to online platforms has accelerated and its now currently debuting at the Esports World Cup (EWC) this week. The tournament, hosted and part-funded by Saudi Arabia, was held for the first time in 2024 and brought together professional gamers, publishers and fans from across the world for an eight-week competitive gaming bonanza. Earlier this year, it was announced that chess would be included in the 2025 edition, with the best players in the world competing for a US$1.5 million prize pool – playing a new format which is deemed more accessible to an esports audience. In a bid to compete in the new event, top esports teams set about signing some of the best chess players on the planet. Team Liquid, one of the biggest esports teams, didn't hold back and signed Norwegian world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, arguably the greatest chess player of all time. Carlsen, who has also been an ambassador for the EWC, spoke to CNN Sports ahead of this year's tournament about how the game can benefit in the digital era. 'I think this is a massive moment for chess,' he said. 'Chess has become more and more online over the last few years, especially since Covid when we couldn't host live tournaments. 'Online was what we had and those online tournaments became bigger and bigger, and it feels like this is the next step to have these hybrid events.' While many players, including Carlsen, want to keep the traditional over-the-board chess alive, the transition to online platforms has coincided with changes in the game's format. Mobile chess Online chess platforms have opened the game up to a new audience. (Credit: Indranil Mukherjee/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) With online games getting quicker, the goal for the EWC's competition was to create a version which would stay true to tradition while incorporating elements associated with fast-paced esports games. The result was the creation of a 10+0 format, which will give both players 10 minutes to make their moves without any chance to add additional time, increasing the chances of blunders as players battle against the clock. The change, although radical when you compare to what the game was like less than 20 years ago, feels very natural to Carlsen. 'The funny thing about chess is that it is a bit of an ancient game and an analog game,' he said. 'But it's also kind of made for the digital age because it's so simple to translate. 'Most of the time when I'm practicing chess, it's always on a screen, whether it's a phone, a computer or a tablet. 'Then when I get to tournaments, the pieces feel a bit strange and I don't feel like I quite see the board the same way.' Magnus Carlsen Magnus Carlsen attends a news conference ahead of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour in April. (Credit: Gonzalo Fuentes/Reuters via CNN Newsource) New audiences The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is still very much considered the home of classic chess, but its CEO Emil Sutovsky told CNN Sports earlier this year that the game's governing body is supportive of the emerging esports partnership. He said FIDE was involved in early conversations with organizers, before became the natural partner on which to stage the EWC. has been one of the main driving forces behind the transition to online formats, allowing anyone with an internet connection to practice and play chess wherever they are in the world. Carlsen, who became a grandmaster at 13, says the online world has opened the world of chess to a new audience. 'It's a fantastic thing that we have this new digital age, where information is so easily available,' he told CNN Sports. 'It means that the game is much more accessible to fans. You have engines that can show you how the games are going and it sort of demystifies the game. 'All these tools make it so much easier for both kids and adults to improve on their chess a lot and I think that's part of why you're seeing a lot of kids these days, they become very, very strong at a very early age. 'Kids routinely become grandmasters at earlier ages. The audience is getting younger as well, and more and more digital. So it's really an exciting time.' The chess competition got underway on Tuesday, with Carlsen making the final following an incredible semifinal against fellow grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, which was only settled following armageddon. The world No. 1 will take on GM Alireza Firouzja on Friday in the championship match with the winner taking home US$250,000. By Ben Church, CNN
National Post
28-07-2025
- National Post
Accidental Shoutout from MrBeast Sends Traffic Surge to Moneyline.com
Article content DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — In a twist of internet fate, a new sports information portal, saw a massive traffic surge after being unintentionally name-dropped in recent MrBeast videos. Article content On December 19, 2024, traffic to the site skyrocketed from an average of 40–60 daily visitors to nearly 3,000 in a single day, all without a single dollar spent on advertising. The unexpected influx puzzled the team behind currently in public beta, until they traced the source to MrBeast's YouTube video titled 'Beast Games', where at the 15:40 mark, the YouTube megastar clearly says ' while referencing his actual sponsor, Article content Article content While is unrelated to the financial services brand, the similarity in names led thousands of viewers to type in the wrong URL, sending over 55,000 unique visits and more than 1,000 user signups to the sports prediction platform. Article content allows sports fans to make predictions on major sporting events, with future plans to enable top pickers to monetize their insights by selling picks to other users. The platform does not offer real-money betting but links to licensed sportsbooks. Article content 'This was an unexpected but exciting moment for us,' said the team behind 'We've been developing this for over two years and just launched in beta with friends and family. The MrBeast mispronunciation gave us valuable traffic insights and early user feedback, all before our official marketing push.' Article content With beta testing nearly complete, is preparing to launch new features soon; this time, intentionally attracting attention. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
National Post
24-07-2025
- National Post
Leo Messi Backs Global Search for the Next Generation of Ballers With the Más+ by Messi 1V1 World Crown - And It's Coming to Toronto
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Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The inaugural Más+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown is a brand-new global search for the most talented male and female ballers It includes a Toronto event for the best ballers in Canada to face off against each other The best from Canada will head to a final in Miami this September, and show off their skills to Messi himself With a cash prize, and the title of World's Best 1v1 Baller on the line, the tournament is dedicated to uncovering and celebrating emerging grassroots talent from communities across Canada, the US, the UK, and Ireland Leo Messi is a driving force behind the competition, involved in competitor selection and will attend the final in Miami to see who will win the crown The groundbreaking tournament is organized by Más+ by Messi, the hydration drink co-founded by Leo, backing champions on their journey Watch the launch video featuring Messi TORONTO — Prepare for a soccer revolution! Hydration drink Más+ by Messi, in collaboration with Leo Messi, widely regarded as the greatest soccer player of all time and an eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, is igniting a worldwide search for the planet's most exceptional 1v1 players – and it's coming to Toronto. Today marks the official announcement of the inaugural Más+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown, a groundbreaking tournament set to uncover grassroots talent and create a dynamic new platform for the future of soccer. The event has been unveiled by Más+ by Messi, the hydration drink co-founded by the soccer legend. This brand new tournament is designed to redefine how the next generation of ballers make their name. From community pitches to the grandest stages, the Más+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown offers an unparalleled opportunity for aspiring athletes to shine – and, critically, to perform under the watchful eye of Leo Messi. The soccer maestro will be personally involved, helping in the selection of competitors and overseeing the final rounds, culminating in the ultimate moment where he will crown the champions. A Global Quest To Unearth Unrivalled Skills The journey to anoint the world's top male and female 1v1 players begins on August 2nd in Los Angeles, where the first of four regional qualifiers kicks off. Over the following six weeks, the Más+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown will make stops in Toronto, London, and Dublin, with players battling it out in intense, head-to-head showdowns for a coveted spot in September's showpiece final in Miami. The first of its kind Toronto event will take place on August 16th at Central Tech Stadium. Aspiring ballers are encouraged to enter for a chance to be selected for a place in the city pre-qualifier events, with city event winners progressing to the final in Miami. Alternatively, a select few 'Wildcard' spots can be secured by showcasing skills through video applications, with selected competitors heading straight to the Miami final. The Essence of 1v1: Rules of Engagement At its core, the Más+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown champions the raw, unadulterated essence of street football. Top Baller, the world's leading 1v1 football specialists, will host these electrifying tournaments, ensuring a celebration of community, sportsmanship, and unparalleled talent. Here's how the 1v1 challenge unfolds: Attacker plays a 1-2 with the defender Attacker beating the defender to score a goal will get 1 point Play resets and players switch positions Defender stopping the attacker from scoring a goal will get 1 point Attackers get 10 seconds to score a goal at each round First to 3 points advances to the next round Witness Future Legends In The Making The search for the next generation of football masters kicks off this August: Los Angeles – August 2nd Toronto – August 16th London – August 23rd Dublin – September 6th Miami (Final) – September 19th The ultimate male and female 1v1 World Crown champions will not only claim a $5,000 prize, presented by Messi himself in Miami, but will also receive a meticulously crafted replica of the World Crown. This replica is modeled after the original, hand-forged creation by Joe Bazanetti, the renowned jeweler trusted by Messi for his eight Ballon d'Or rings. While the original crown remains a permanent symbol of glory, the replica serves as a distinguished emblem of the champions' achievement. Speaking about this groundbreaking initiative, Leo Messi shared: 'Football is about passion, skill, and the joy of the game. The Más+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown is pure sport and isn't just about finding champions; it's about incredible, undiscovered talent showing the world what they can do. Since I've been playing with Inter Miami, I've had the chance to play in Toronto a few times already. It's another place where you can clearly see the passion for football, and it's obvious that more and more people are getting into the game. The tournament is a great opportunity for local players to showcase their skills. I'm looking forward to seeing how they take part and what kind of talent is discovered there.' Throughout the series, Más+ by Messi will be on hand to support athletes, providing the essential hydration needed to perform at their absolute peak. Its expertly crafted blend of electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals, with natural flavours and no artificial sweeteners or colours, offers unmatched taste and just 10 calories per bottle. This ensures ballers can maintain their focus, stay locked in, and be at their very best for every challenge. To find out more about the Más+ by Messi 1v1 World Crown, enter for a chance to play in a city pre-qualifier event, or enter as a Wildcard, visit US (for LA & Miami), CA (for Toronto), UK (for London), 18+. LA: 08:00 PDT 7/24/25 – 7/27/25. Miami: 08:00 ET 7/24/25 – 9/11/25. Toronto: 08:00 ET 7/24/25 – 8/10/25. London: 08:00 BST 7/24/25 – 8/17/25. Visit , upload 2 min video of your football skills + #MasbyMessiContest & #1v1WorldCrown in post caption & follow @Masbymessi to enter Competition. No purchase. Prizes per event: 32 male category & 32 female category winners win a place in Más+ by Messi 1v1 Soccer City Pre-qualifier tournament in LA (on 8/2/25), Miami (on 9/19/25), Toronto (on 8/16/25) or London (on 8/23/25) (depending on country of residence), ARV: US$500, Total ARV: US$32,000. Promotion void where prohibited. 1 entry & 1 Prize p/p. Winners must respond within 2 days to claim. See website for Official Rules & Prize details. Promoter: Mark Anthony Brands International. Más+ by Messi is a hydration drink co-founded by global superstar Lionel Messi together with Mark Anthony Group. It has a balanced blend of electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals, with natural flavours and no artificial sweeteners or colours. Más+ by Messi offers unmatched taste and contains just 10 calories per bottle. Hydrate like a champion with Más+ By Messi. Más+ By Messi is available in four delicious flavours, inspired by Messi's life: Miami Punch – Hints of pineapple notes with classic fruit punch aroma and by the city where Messi and his family live, Messi's current and next chapter. Orange D'or – Smells like fresh squeezed oranges, with a refreshing orange flavour. Inspired by Messi's record 8 wins of the Ballon d'Or Trophy. Limón Lime League – Tastes like fresh lemons and green limes. Flavour name honours the time Messi spent playing in the UEFA Champions League, a cup he won four times. Berry Copa Crush – Notes of blueberries, raspberries, cherries, and açaí berries. The perfect balance of sweet and citrus tastes with a smooth finish. Flavour name inspired by the many incredible trophies, including the World Cup, that Leo has lifted in his career. Pioneers of 1v1 soccer – Top Baller creates events that celebrate community, sportsmanship and talent. We're finding Top Ballers around the world and showcasing grassroots talent across our media channels. Our goal is to bring together young players with a competition that celebrates community, sportsmanship and talent. All events will be filmed and available to view on our Youtube channel @Top_Baller. View source version on This advertisement has not loaded yet.
