Competitive Chess: Discover the Top Tournaments, the World’s Best Players, and How to Bet!

It may sound surprising, but Competitive Chess is actually the older sibling of eSports. Created in the 15th century, the world’s most popular board game continues to expand its range of tournaments — both in traditional settings and online formats.

Now debuting at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, chess solidifies its role as a pioneer in mind sports. From legendary names like Garry Kasparov to modern-day standout Magnus Carlsen, the game is driven by strategy — and yes, you can even bet on it!

In this complete guide, you’ll learn why chess is officially recognized as a sport, explore the main tournaments on the global circuit, get to know the grandmasters who dominate the board, and of course, find out how to place responsible bets on high-level matches using Blaze!

Why Is Chess Considered a Sport?

Chess has been officially recognized as a mind sport by the International Olympic Committee since 1999, as well as by organizations like IMSA. This means that even though it doesn’t require intense physical effort, it includes all the elements of a legitimate sport: clear rules, official rankings, international tournaments, technical preparation, and performance under pressure.

A mind or electronic sport must involve skill, strategy, organized competition, and individual development. Chess perfectly fits these criteria. Players train daily, analyze past matches, develop opening lines, and study game psychology — just like athletes in any elite discipline.

Moreover, top-level chess matches can last for hours and cause immense mental fatigue. There are documented cases of players burning thousands of calories per day during major tournaments. The intense concentration, emotional control, and strategic thinking required make chess one of the most cognitively demanding activities in the world.

For all these reasons, chess is not just a sport — it’s one of the oldest and most respected mind sports, now also growing rapidly in the digital age and the eSports arena.

The History of Competitive Chess

The history of competitive chess dates back to the 19th century, with the first official World Championship held in 1886, when Wilhelm Steinitz defeated Johannes Zukertort to become the inaugural world champion. Since then, chess has evolved into a fully organized sport with the foundation of FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) in 1924, which has since governed official tournaments and international titles.

In the 20th century, chess gained global attention through historic clashes — most notably the 1972 World Championship between American Bobby Fischer and Soviet Boris Spassky, one of the most iconic sporting events of its time. Later, the legendary rivalry between Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov defined a golden age of elite chess battles.

One of the most significant milestones in chess history occurred in 1997, when IBM’s supercomputer Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov in a six-game match. It was the first time a machine beat a reigning world champion under official match conditions. The event marked a major leap in artificial intelligence and its influence on the world of chess.

Deep Blue could evaluate 200 million positions per second and was trained on a vast database of previous games, pushing the boundaries of human calculation. Although Kasparov won the first game, he lost the sixth and final one, ending the match with a score of 3.5 to 2.5 in favor of the machine.

This match not only made history in the world of technology but also sparked deeper reflections on human preparation and the role of AI in modern chess training. Today, all elite players use advanced software to prepare strategies and improve their gameplay.

Now, the game is more dynamic than ever — with online broadcasts, millions of viewers, and increasing participation on digital platforms and eSports tournaments.

What Are the Main Chess Tournaments in the World?

The competitive chess calendar is packed with prestigious events that bring together the biggest names on the board — both in classical formats and in the rapidly growing digital scene, thanks to the rise of eSports. Some events, especially online opens and qualifying stages, use the Swiss System to ensure balanced pairings.

Check out the top tournaments and why they matter:

World Chess Championship

The most important tournament in the world, usually held annually between the reigning champion and the challenger from the Candidates Tournament. It represents the peak of any chess player’s career.

Candidates Tournament

Brings together the highest-ranked players in the world, finalists from the FIDE World Cup, winners of the FIDE Grand Swiss, and others who qualify through FIDE-defined criteria. The winner earns the right to challenge the reigning world champion.

FIDE World Cup

A knockout-format tournament that attracts players from all over the globe. It’s one of the main gateways to the Candidates Tournament, featuring intense and unpredictable matches.

Grand Chess Tour

An international circuit composed of high-level over-the-board events, mostly classical, with participation from the world’s top grandmasters. The champion is decided by cumulative performance across the season.

Chess Olympiad

A national team competition held every two years that promotes teamwork in a mostly individual sport. Organized by FIDE, it carries immense symbolic value.

Tata Steel Chess

Known as the "Wimbledon of Chess," this prestigious Dutch tournament has been held since 1938 and typically opens the international calendar with world-class games.

Sinquefield Cup

Part of the Grand Chess Tour, held in Saint Louis (USA) and offering major prizes. The round-robin format fosters direct battles among the top players on the circuit.

Top Chess Tournaments in the eSports Scene:

Chess.com Global Championship

One of the biggest online tournaments today, organized by Chess.com. It attracts elite players and streaming stars alike, with a prize pool of $1 million.

Speed Chess Championship

Also hosted by Chess.com, this tournament focuses on fast-paced games (blitz and bullet), pushing the world’s best players to perform under pressure.

Champions Chess Tour

A series of online tournaments originally created by Chess24 and now run by Chess.com, featuring major global stars. Matches are broadcast live with extensive digital coverage and high social media engagement.

eSports World Cup

Chess was officially included as one of the disciplines of this global event, further cementing its presence in the competitive digital landscape.

Who Are the World’s Best Chess Players?

According to the FIDE classical ranking (July 2025), the top ten chess players in the world are:

1. Magnus Carlsen (Norway) – Rating 2839: A dominant force for over a decade, still the technical benchmark.
2. Hikaru Nakamura (USA) – Rating 2807: Popular on streaming platforms and a blitz specialist.
3. Fabiano Caruana (USA) – Rating 2784: World Championship runner-up with a solid playing style.
4. R. Praggnanandhaa (India) – Rating 2779: A young talent with big victories under his belt.
5. Arjun Erigaisi (India) – Rating 2776: A rising star in Indian chess.
6. Gukesh D (India) – Rating 2776: A young world champion and future star.
7. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan) – Rating 2771: A fast-paced champion with precise tactics.
8. Alireza Firouzja (France) – Rating 2766: A bold, charismatic grandmaster.
9. Wei Yi (China) – Rating 2748: A strong positional player.
10. Anish Giri (Netherlands) – Rating 2748: Known for consistency and refined technique.

The new generation is making its mark with skill, preparation, and strong digital presence — helping bring chess to an ever-wider audience.

How to Bet on Chess

Betting on chess is a fun way to follow matches with more excitement and interactivity. Just like other games featured in Blaze’s eSports betting guide, chess offers a variety of markets to explore:

• Match Result: Choose between a win for either player or a draw.
• Handicap: Bets that apply a fictional advantage to one player to balance the odds.
• Over/Under: In some formats, you can bet on the number of games played or the final score — especially in short matches.
• First Piece Captured: A more specific and entertaining market.

Analyzing player history, playstyle, and tournament format can make a big difference. For example, Magnus Carlsen tends to perform better in rapid games, while players like Fabiano Caruana are traditionally stronger in classical time controls. It’s important to know these details before placing your bet. Check out our eSports glossary to better understand common betting terms.

Bet on Chess at Blaze!

At Blaze, you have access to the top chess competitions through an intuitive, secure, and easy-to-use platform. A wide range of markets is available, including match winner, number of moves, exact score, and much more — all with tools to help you make smarter decisions at every move.

Whether it's a classical tournament like the World Championship or an electrifying eSports event, Blaze keeps pace with modern chess to offer a complete entertainment experience.

Important Reminder: Betting should be a form of entertainment — not a way to make money. Always play responsibly, set clear limits, and never bet more than you can afford to lose.

Explore the world of competitive chess and bet smartly and responsibly on the Chess page at Blaze!