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First Post
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- First Post
‘The missing piece is how it's presented': Behind ‘Checkmate: USA vs India' plan to shake up the chess scene
In an exclusive interaction with Firstpost, Salim Belcadi of Checkmate Strategic Ventures explains how the upcoming 'Checkmate: USA vs India' event aims to reimagine chess as a global sport and bring it into the mainstream. read more The upcoming 'Checkmate: USA vs India' event will be headlined by the showdown between D Gukesh and Hikaru Nakamura. Image credit: FIDE/Michal Walusza There have been attempts to revamp the game of chess as we know it and try and make it more popular among the younger crowd. While Standard, or Classical, chess remains the cornerstone of the board game that has had international tournaments in existence for nearly two centuries, faster formats such as rapid and blitz have been gaining popularity all over the world, which might have something to do with the ever-decreasing attention spans of the social media generation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Newer versions such as Freestyle Chess, a.k.a. Chess960, have attempted to reinvent the board game by introducing an element of unpredictability, and the inaugural Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour that is currently underway is attempting to spread the format's popularity across the globe. Despite all the changes that chess has gone through over the years with the introduction of faster and unique formats, chess largely remains a niche sport. What drives home that fact is how chess hasn't been able to garner enough interest for it to appear on television sets, which is where the masses still are. After all, the live coverage of some of the world's biggest events including the FIDE World Championship, Candidates Tournament and more is still limited to online streaming on platforms such as YouTube and Reimagining chess as a global sport The organisers of ' Checkmate: USA vs India ', however, intend to change that perception when they host a showdown between two of the strongest chess federations in the latest FIDE 'Open' Ratings against each other at Arlington in the state of Texas, USA in October. 'The idea for Checkmate started taking shape in late 2023. We asked ourselves: what if we re-imagined chess as a global sport, with the drama of boxing and the team identity of soccer? That was the spark. With India and the USA leading the global chess scene, the matchup felt inevitable. We just made it real,' Salim Belcadi of Checkmate Strategic Ventures told Firstpost in an exclusive interaction on the upcoming event. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'What makes this event different is its design: a high-stakes, fan-friendly and broadcast-ready showdown. Every game has a winner, with patriotism as a narrative. The atmosphere will be electric: national anthems, walkouts, crowd energy, and real-time graphics powered by tech. Its goal is to appeal to both casual and serious chess players. In short, it's chess built for the spotlight,' he added. The event that is headlined by a showdown between reigning world champion D Gukesh and world No 2 Hikaru Nakamura also includes an equally mouth-watering battle between Arjun Erigaisi and Fabiano Caruana – ranked fourth and fifth in the Classical ratings. 'Checkmate' thus features four of the world's top five players on the FIDE Standard Ratings, making it an event that is comparable with Norway Chess and other events with equally strong lineups. The five-board team match also witnesses 21-year-old Carissa Yip battle it out against Divya Deshmukh, the world's highest-rated female player under 21 and a couple of 14-year-olds Tani Adewumi and Ethan Vaz. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And that's not all – the one of a kind event also pits two of the most popular streamers in the chess world – Levy Rozman, a.k.a. GothamChess and Sagar Shah, both of whom happen to be International Masters. THE MATCH IS ON! Checkmate: USA vs India 📅 October 4, 2025 🏟️ Esports Stadium Arlington, Texas, 2500 seats! 🌍 Global broadcast 🎙️ Commentary, spectacle, intensity ♟️ 5 boards. 4 categories. Only one winner. 🔥 Lineup: • Hikaru Nakamura (USA World #2) vs Gukesh Dommaraju (World… — checkmate SV (@checkmate_SV) May 1, 2025 And unlike Classical matches that follow a 90+30 time control, the 'Checkmate' event will feature 10-minute games – which will be followed by a 5-minute Overtime Game and 1-minute Shootout Games until there is a winner in the event of a draw. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Belcadi reveals the organisers were met with a positive response from Nakamura, Gukesh and the other players when approached with the idea. 'We approached all the players a couple of months ago with a clear concept: this event isn't about ratings, it's about categories, stories, and showmanship. Their response was unanimously positive. 'They saw that this was professional, respectful of the game, and designed to promote chess in a new light. None of the players hesitated, in fact, many offered advice and encouragement. We're grateful for the openness and trust they showed us,' Belcadi added. Belcadi goes on to add that chess already has a following in millions, but lacks the presentation for it to become a mainstream sport, something that Checkmate Strategic Ventures intends to achieve with the upcoming event. 'The global chess audience is already there: millions follow it online, and many are new to the game. We feel the missing piece is how it's presented. With the right format, pacing, and storytelling, chess can become a mainstream sport. That's the goal of Checkmate SV, to bridge the gap between competitive chess and mass entertainment,' Belcadi said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Emphasising on home advantage 'Home advantage' is an integral part of sport, especially team events, and it is this factor that helps add context to a game and adds the spice needed to make things more interesting. The presence of legion of cheering supporters provides the mental boost to teams or individuals playing on home turf, which can be the difference between victory and defeat at times. More tangible factors such as weather and soil type can also influence the outcome of a game, especially in sports such as cricket. The organisers are expecting a sold-out affair at the 2,500-capacity Esports Stadium, which will be hosting the event in the 'Lone Star State', with a vast majority of those in attendance likely to chant 'USA! USA!' come 4 October. That, however, is by no means all as far as the home advantage factor is concerned. What makes this team event unique is the fact that the Americans will be playing with white pieces in all games. The 'marginal edge' – as the organisers put it – will be extended to the Indians when the return match takes place in their backyard. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 2,500-capacity Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas will be hosting the 'Checkmate: USA vs India' event on 4 October. AFP 'Home advantage is important in our concept, and the home team will play with white to give them a marginal edge. We are planning a return match in India, where this advantage will swap sides,' Belcadi said. Belcadi goes on to add that India are a world-class team with top names such as Gukesh, Arjun and Divya, who have held their own in high-pressure situations and are expected to put up a tough fight despite the advantage that their opponents enjoy. 'On October 4th, there will be crowd support for Team USA, and the venue, Esports Stadium Arlington, is massive for a chess event. But this is a world-class Indian team, and most players have shown nerves of steel in high-stakes events. We doubt they will feel the pressure now. 'Also, the pairings are very balanced by design, and the format fast. Therefore, despite the marginal edge, we think it'll come down to performance over atmosphere. We strongly believe every round will be competitive.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'India's rise as a chess powerhouse one of the most inspiring stories' Belcadi goes on to hail India's rise in the world of chess, especially in the year 2024 in which it completed a historic golden sweep at the Chess Olympiad , Gukesh emerged as the youngest champion in the Candidates as well as the World Championship and Arjun became only the second Indian to breach the 2800-rating barrier. 'India's rise as a chess powerhouse is one of the most inspiring stories in recent sports. India's new generation led by Gukesh, Arjun, Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali, Divya, and others isn't just talented. They're fearless and conquering. 'What's even more remarkable is that many of them are still in school. And behind them is a powerful ecosystem of coaches, federations, and platforms like ChessBase India. India is no longer the future of chess, it's the present,' Belcadi said. Also Read | Nakamura heaps praise on India's chess ecosystem: 'Everything is the way it should be' As for the crux of the upcoming event – USA vs India – Belcadi felt this was the right match-up for the 'Checkmate' event to make its debut with, but has room to 'travel and adapt' in the years to come. 'The USA vs India matchup was the right one to launch with — it reflects where the excitement and momentum are today. But we built this with scalability in mind. The format can travel and adapt. That's the beauty of the team-based, round-by-round format: it invites creativity.' Checkmate Strategic Ventures views this event as one that has the potential to become a 'recurring global property' that is also commercially viable from the entertainment perspective. 'This event is a proof of concept. In the short term, the goal is to deliver an unforgettable live experience and a format that proves chess can entertain like other sports. In the long term, Checkmate SV is a platform. 'We see it becoming a recurring global property delivering high stakes events and high production. We want to give fans a reason to show up, sponsors a reason to invest, and players a new kind of stage to shine on. 'The bigger picture is to create a chess product that is commercially viable as an entertainment sport. At the same time, we want to preserve the depth and quality of the game we love,' Belcadi signed off.
Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Checkmate: USA vs India aims to take chess from fringes of sports world into the mainstream
Since the COVID pandemic, chess has gained millions of new fans. But the one area that remains largely uncharted for the sport is television broadcast, with streaming platforms still the primary source of distribution. Checkmate: USA vs India — pitting two of the strongest nations in the sport against each other – hopes to make it attractive for broadcasters and casual fans, who stay away finding it too complicated. The event will see four of the top five players in the world —Hikaru Nakamura, D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi and Fabiano Caruana — playing for their countries. They will be joined by the likes of Divya Deshmukh, Ethan Vaz, chess commentator Sagar Shah (all representing India), Carissa Yip, Tanitoluwa Adewumi and popular streamer Levy Rozman (representing the USA). The thought behind the venture is to make the sport more accessible to casual fans who find the grammar of the sport riddled with technicalities. 'This is built for fans — not just chess purists. Most chess events today are tailored for serious players, with heavy theoretical commentary. We're moving away from that,' Salim Belcadi of Checkmate Strategic Ventures, the main organiser of this event, tells The Indian Express. The idea is to have a product that appeals to casual fans, but not at the expense of hardcore chess romantics. Belcadi says that at the moment, most chess broadcasts are designed to cater to 'insiders', whom he says are 'serious players that are fluent in theory and analysis'. The group wants to create compelling storylines for all audiences. 'It will be a format that major broadcasters can carry, casual fans can enjoy, and sponsors can support. It's about building a commercially viable sport that still honours the depth of the game,' he says. Despite its growing appeal, getting chess on TV has been next to impossible barring occasional appearances. FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky, in a recent conversation with ChessBase India, even admitted: 'Maybe, we don't have a product that is ready to be televised in a way that millions of people can follow it.' The Checkmate: USA vs India event is an attempt to change that perception. Belcadi says the idea behind the event was to 'have a format that delivers intensity, identity, and storytelling'. It germinated in 2023, but they only approached players two months ago. 'We expected a bit of resistance, but there was none. Players were either curious, excited, or enthusiastic. They found the format fun and fresh — something they wanted to be part of,' he says. What was the thought behind picking India and USA, over other countries like Russia, China and Uzbekistan, which also have a massive footprint in the sport? 'It was clear that India and the USA are the two largest markets for chess. They are two powerhouses of chess by objective measurements such as participation, viewership, player depth, number of grandmasters, and global rankings. India brings youth, depth, and momentum. Even fearlessness. The USA brings star power, legacy, and global media reach. This event is about the future of chess, and these two countries are currently shaping that future, in their own way,' Belcadi says. The need to create a 'narrative' for the battle, led them to have a nation-based team event, even though chess remains a largely individualistic sport. 'Individual brilliance is still front and centre, but framing the event as a national face-off introduces something more powerful — a narrative,' he says. 'Chess still sits on the fringe of mainstream sports, and our mission is to help change that.'
Business Wire
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Chess Hits the Big Stage
ARLINGTON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On October 4 th, 2025, the world's spotlight turns to Arlington as America's finest take on India's stars in Checkmate: USA vs. India, a landmark global chess showdown at Esports Stadium Arlington, Texas' premier esports venue. Checkmate: USA vs. India will spotlight chess like never before—combining a high-drama, fast-paced format with the full spectacle of North American sports. Share Checkmate: USA vs. India will spotlight chess like never before—combining a high-drama, fast-paced format with the full spectacle of North American sports: national anthems, electrifying production, and edge-of-your-seat entertainment. With 2,500 fans in the arena and millions more expected to watch globally, this event reimagines how chess is played, celebrated, and broadcast to the world. The head-to-head lineup features some of the most celebrated names in modern chess. Hikaru Nakamura (USA) vs. Gukesh D (IND) The Blitz King vs The World Champ Fabiano Caruana (USA) vs. Arjun Erigaisi (IND) The Ice vs The Intellect Checkmate: USA vs. India will feature the top two players from each country, and four of the top five players in the world. Levy Rozman (USA) vs. Sagar Shah (India) YouTube Royalty The event will also include a never seen before showdown between two of the largest chess streamers in the world, that represent over 10 million combined followers. Carissa Yip (USA) vs. Divya Deshmukh (India) Future Queens of Chess Tanitoluwa Adewumi (USA) vs. Ethan Vaz (India) Under 15 Prodigies Crucially, Checkmate: USA vs. India will introduce new and emerging chess stars to the world, and will have the best women's and youth players faceoff in Dallas. With national pride and global bragging rights on the line, this high-stakes series promises to be a must-watch cultural moment. Tickets go on sale May 1 st and are expected to sell out fast. Tickets available at: 'This is the kind of event that elevates chess to the next level,' said Hikaru Nakamura, five-time U.S. Champion and international chess icon. 'India has become one of the most exciting forces in global chess, and I'm thrilled to take them on in front of a live crowd here in the U.S. We want to show the world that America is home to some of the best players in the game—and that chess can be as thrilling and competitive as any major sport.' Produced by Checkmate Strategic Ventures, the event brings together top players, organizers, sponsors, and streamers under one roof to reshape the future of chess entertainment. 'Chess is a global language, spoken by over 600 million players—and yet, its full power has never truly been unleashed on the world's biggest screens," said Salim Belcadi of Checkmate Strategic Ventures, lead organizer of the series. "After witnessing the sold-out crowds and millions of viewers at the FIDE Candidates 2024, it became clear: chess is no longer just a game. It's a spectacle waiting for its stage. Checkmate: USA vs. India brings the world's most iconic players into a battlefield of speed, tension, and unstoppable drama. A fast, breathtaking format. A clash of giants. This is chess, reimagined for a new era.' With global chess viewership at an all-time high across YouTube, Twitch, Kick and OTT platforms, Checkmate: USA vs. India offers an unprecedented opportunity for broadcast and streaming partners. Checkmate Strategic Ventures is currently reviewing proposals for: Live Broadcast & Streaming Rights Sponsorship & Brand Partnerships
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Gukesh to take on Nakamura in India vs USA chess showdown
In what appears to be a cracking and unique face-off, reigning world champion Gukesh will take on world No 2 Hikaru Nakamura, Arjun Erigaisi will go up against Fabiano Caruana and Divya Deshmukh will play Carissa Yip in a India vs USA chess match scheduled to take place at the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas on October 4. The second leg of the match is reportedly expected to take place later in India. The match – Checkmate; USA vs India – will consist of five rounds, played sequentially, one board at a time before a live audience in the 2500-seater stadium. Players will have 10 minutes per game and if drawn, the overtime game will give players five minutes each. If still drawn, a one-minute shootout game will be played and should it still be drawn, an additional minute per player games will be played till a winner emerges. American players will play White on all boards to mark home advantage. Apart from the top three duels, two of the most influential chess content creators and International Masters, Levy Rozman and Sagar Shah will go up against each other while USA's Tanitoluwa Adewumi will take on India's Ethan Vaz in the battle of prodigies. 'This is the kind of event that elevates chess to the next level. India has become one of the most exciting forces in global chess, and I'm thrilled to take them on in front of a live crowd here in the US. We want to show the world that America is home to some of the best players in the game and that chess can be as thrilling and competitive as any major sport,' world No 2 Hikaru Nakamura said. Checkmate Strategic Ventures, the organizers of the event, is pitching this event in an attempt to 'reshape' the future of chess viewing. 'Chess is a global language, spoken by over 600 million players and yet, its full power has never truly been unleashed on the world's biggest screens,' Salim Belcadi of Checkmate Strategic Ventures, lead organizer of the series said. 'After witnessing the sold-out crowds and millions of (online) viewers at the Fide Candidates 2024, it became clear: chess is no longer just a game. It's a spectacle waiting for its stage.' Line-up: Hikaru Nakamura (USA, world No 2) vs Gukesh D (India, world champion) Fabiano Caruana (USA, world No 5) vs Arjun Erigaisi (India, world No 4) Carissa Yip (USA) vs Divya Deshmukh (India) Levy Rozman (USA, GothamChess) vs. Sagar Shah (India, ChessBase India) Tanitoluwa Adewumi (USA) vs. Ethan Vaz (India)
Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, Divya Deshmukh to lead India vs the USA in unique chess battle
World champion Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi and Divya Deshmukh will lead India against Team USA in a never-before-seen team chess event that pits two of the most successful nations in the sphere of 64 squares. The exhibition event — christened Checkmate: USA vs India — will be held on October 4 this year in front of a live audience of 2,500 fans at the Esports Stadium Arlington in Texas. While there are national events in chess like the Olympiad, this event will have intricacies woven into it that make it stand out from those events. Sample this, the event will have an esports feel to it since the venue for it — the Esports Stadium Arlington — is a 1,00,000 square feet arena that can accommodate up to 2,500 fans and will have 90-foot-tall LED displays showing broadcast of the games. This will be a radical shift from the usual chess halls, where a library-like silence usually prevails. Then, before the game, the national anthems of both countries will be played out at the arena, which is also unusual in chess. To give the American team a 'home advantage' — another unheard of concept in chess — all five players representing the USA will play with white pieces while the organizers have said they are exploring the prospect of playing a similar contest in India later on. Unlike the Olympiad, the five games in the India vs USA clash will not take place simultaneously, they will be held one after the other. Each game will be played with a time control of 10 minutes per player. If this game gets drawn, there will be an 'overtime game' where each player will have five minutes. If this too ends in a draw, there will be a 'shootout game' where each player has one minute per player. This continues until a winner emerges. The organisers said that the clash will see current world no 3 Gukesh, who last year became the youngest world champion in the history of the sport, facing off against world no 2 Hikaru Nakamura while world no 4 Erigaisi duels world no 5 Fabiano Caruana. In the women's section, Divya Deshmukh will take on Carissa Yip while in the U15 section, Ethan Vaz will take on Tanitoluwa Adewumi. On the final board of the five-board contest, popular streamer Levy Rozman (an international master popularly known as Gotham Chess, representing the USA) will take on Chessbase India's Sagar Shah (also an international master). 'This is the kind of event that elevates chess to the next level. India has become one of the most exciting forces in global chess, and I'm thrilled to take them on in front of a live crowd here in the US. We want to show the world that America is home to some of the best players in the game—and that chess can be as thrilling and competitive as any major sport,' Hikaru Nakamura, current world no 2 was quoted as saying by the organisers in a statement. Checkmate Strategic Ventures, the organizers of the event, said that they were looking to 'reshape the future of chess entertainment' and 'reimagine chess for a new era' by making it into more of a spectacle. Currently, the biggest struggle the sport faces is getting screen time on television networks. 'Chess is a global language, spoken by over 600 million players—and yet, its full power has never truly been unleashed on the world's biggest screens. After witnessing the sold-out crowds and millions of (online) viewers at the FIDE Candidates 2024, it became clear: chess is no longer just a game. It's a spectacle waiting for its stage,' Salim Belcadi of Checkmate Strategic Ventures, lead organizer of the series, said in a statement. The cheapest tickets for the event, which went on sale on Thursday, were for $120 (approximately Rs 10,000) with VIP tickets available for $350 (approximately Rs 35,000).
