Photo credit: dotesports.com
Chess entering the realm of esports may seem surprising, especially considering the changes that esports have undergone in the past decade regarding business and ethics. Upon receiving an inquiry from the TakeTakeTake team, which is focused on the evolving landscape of chess, it prompted a deeper examination of their vision for the game.
A bold business gamble
What started as a fantasy chess initiative has transformed into the TakeTakeTake platform, attracting prominent figures from the chess world in an effort to modernize fan engagement. Backed by substantial funding—$3 million raised in pre-seed investment—the project seems poised to revive the chess experience, drawing comparisons to the competitive gaming boom seen in the past with franchises like Overwatch.
While grandmaster Magnus Carlsen is the high-profile face of the venture, the strategic vision largely stems from Mats André Kristiansen, the CEO. His background includes founding Oda, Norway’s first unicorn startup, after meeting Carlsen and joining the early stages of this ambitious fantasy chess endeavor, which eventually evolved into the TakeTakeTake application and its broader objectives for the future of chess.
As a chess enthusiast who has witnessed the rise and fall of esports from a distance, the idea of having Carlsen as an “esports ambassador,” especially in contexts like the collaboration with Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja, raises fundamental questions about chess as a spectator sport. Conversations with Kristiansen revealed how his vision aligns with both the past tribulations of esports and the promising future of chess.
Kristiansen’s interest in chess began like many others in Norway—through extensive media coverage of Carlsen’s achievements, which led him to the chessboard as an amateur. His passion also encompasses the world of video games, with experiences in classics such as Counter-Strike, Warcraft 3, and World of Warcraft. Notably, he finds himself as one of the few parents in his daughter’s educational environment familiar with popular titles like League of Legends.
Chess as an esport? A definite maybe
The landscape of strategy games has shifted over the years, with the genre’s popularity and esports presence evolving significantly. Traditional one-versus-one formats in gaming have diminished in visibility compared to team-based competitions.
However, Kristiansen proposes a fresh perspective on the idea of chess as an esport. He argues that the game’s recent digital transformation, particularly through platforms like chess.com, allows for a faster pace of play that engages audiences differently than classical chess ever could. He emphasizes the increasing importance of speed and strategy management, as well as the universal understanding of chess that spans generations—making it unlike any other video game experience.
Despite this, Kristiansen acknowledges a tendency among chess media to frame their narratives in relation to traditional sports rather than esports. His remarks suggest that the objective is not to categorize chess strictly within one domain or the other but to enhance its mainstream recognition and appeal. He envisions a chess world enriched by team competitions that would heighten viewer engagement and sponsorship opportunities.
He points out how formats like the Olympiad and Team Chess League can evoke powerful narratives that resonate with fans and amplify star power within the game.
Viewing chess from a new angle
Improving the spectator experience is essential for the growth of chess, as highlighted by Nakamura in past discussions. Kristiansen notes the potential to simplify the accessibility of chess broadcasts for casual viewers, focusing on fundamental interactions—how pieces move, ways to capture and promote pawns, and the tactical intent behind actions on the board. By providing visual aids and options, they can better engage those less versed in the game’s complexities.
Moreover, the approach to commentary needs to evolve as well. Kristiansen critiques the typical grandmaster-level analysis that often misses the nuances of engaging a broader viewer base. Instead, commentary should heighten the drama by anticipating blunders or choices that may lead to unexpected outcomes, making the broadcast more relatable to novice viewers.
While he draws parallels to the excitement found in motorsport commentary, Kristiansen underscores the significance of maintaining viewer interest over extended broadcasts. He likens chess commentary to televised cycling events, which feature deeper analyses and historical context that could similarly be integrated into chess coverage.
He references impressive chess viewership statistics from Norwegian national television, especially considering the country’s population size. Noteworthy is the average viewership of nearly 300,000 for the 2021 World Rapid Chess Championship—indicating a substantial interest that could be cultivated further.
Nonetheless, the precarious situation remains evident, as the national broadcaster dropped classical championship coverage following Carlsen’s departure from the tournament, citing diminished viewer interest. This leaves a gap that only the development of new formats and engaging content can fill.
The TakeTakeTake promise
Kristiansen articulates an expansive vision for audience engagement through the TakeTakeTake platform. He believes most users have some experience with chess but may lack familiarity with competitive play, marking a potential difference from traditional sports, where spectators often outnumber participants. The goal is to bridge this gap.
The app itself showcases several innovative features, including user-friendly designs and real-time commentary similar to that found in reputable sports journalism. However, there are aspects worth refining, especially the presentation of moves which could be misrepresented as extraordinary.
Interactive features, such as “guess the move,” enhance engagement, while short recaps and awards introduce fun elements to the experience. Building out user profiles for players and enhancing connectivity with individual aficionados of the game will be pivotal as TakeTakeTake seeks to amplify its user base into the millions.
Future avenues for monetization have also been considered, including ad placements and subscription models. The broader challenge, however, will lie in convincing the esports audience that they see sufficient value to pay for content.
Certain limitations exist, particularly regarding legal boundaries around broadcasting moves themselves. Past attempts to implement paywalls around chess moves have failed due to legal precedents.
Beyond the app, TakeTakeTake has already attracted attention through collaborations with major content creators such as GothamChess and Nakamura, showcasing interviews and live commentary during significant chess events.
However, some controversies have arisen, such as the fallout from an interview with Daniel Naroditsky. Misinterpretations and misquotations highlighted the need for careful communication in chess media, as both participants sought to clarify the context surrounding their comments in a well-publicized Reddit cleanup thread.
This incident did not deter their overall goals. Kristiansen indicated that the focus was on rolling out their product ahead of crucial events and using feedback to refine further. Their small team is growing, with chess experts contributing to an expanding content pipeline.
Playing the long game
The convergence of chess and esports brings with it both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. The influence of high-profile events like the Esports World Cup is palpable, yet Kristiansen emphasizes the importance of ensuring chess organizations harness this visibility effectively.
He questions whether traditional chess authorities are ready to capitalize on the heightened interest from the esports community. While there are concerns about whether this momentum can be sustained, Kristiansen remains optimistic that unique tournament formats, such as the FIDE Candidates cycle, could serve as a pivot point for promoting chess as an engaging spectator experience.
As chess navigates through a period of uncertainty reminiscent of a strategic mid-game, the vision presented by TakeTakeTake may hold promise. Yet, the future of elite-level chess demands careful strategy and bold moves to secure its potential.
Source
dotesports.com