Magnus Carlsen to Face Chess Community in Historic Vote Chess Match

LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2025 – World number-one chess player Magnus Carlsen will participate in an unprecedented Vote Chess match against members of the Chess.com community, beginning April 4. This event marks the first time Carlsen engages in such a format, allowing participants the rare opportunity to play against the reigning champion.

The match is designed as a Freestyle Chess game, which involves players utilizing pieces that start in a semi-random position. This game format, also known as Chess960, diversifies the approach to traditional chess. Over the years, large-scale Vote Chess events have drawn thousands of participants, including a historic match in 1999 with over 50,000 players against former World Champion Garry Kasparov.

“This is your chance to be part of chess history,” Chess.com officials said in their announcement. “With Carlsen’s immense fan base, we anticipate this match could surpass the previous participation record of nearly 70,000 players.”

An array of renowned chess coaches will provide real-time game analysis and guidance through the Vote Chess chat feature. Coaching involvement aims to enrich the experience for community members, helping them understand various positions throughout the game. Specific names of participating coaches will be revealed in upcoming announcements.

In the Vote Chess format, community participants will control the black pieces, casting votes for each move, while Carlsen will play the white pieces independently. The move with the highest votes at the close of each 24-hour voting period will be executed, allowing for collective strategies from the community.

“Even if you can’t follow the game continuously, contributing even one vote qualifies your participation in this monumental event,” Chess.com noted, emphasizing the inclusivity of the match.

Carlsen is highly regarded for his chess prowess, and as the event approaches, enthusiasts are eager to see if he can decisively outmaneuver the combined strategies of thousands of players. Experts suggest Carlsen’s historical skill implies a significant advantage in his battle against the masses.

This upcoming Vote Chess match not only symbolizes a unique intersection between elite chess and community participation but also serves to entertain and inspire both novice and seasoned players alike. “Are you ready to play against the GOAT?” the organizers questioned, invigorating excitement leading into the event’s commencement.