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Chess.com Hits 200 Million Members and Launches Innovations with Virtual AI Coach

The online chess platform Chess.com reached 200 million members in 2025. To mark the historic milestone, the company launched a personalized virtual coach powered by AI, reinforcing its role as a global leader in online chess learning and practice.

Historic Milestone for the Global Chess Community

In February 2025, Chess.com, the world's largest online chess platform, officially announced that it had surpassed the 200 million member mark. This achievement symbolizes the exponential growth of digital chess and the essential role the platform has played in popularizing and modernizing the game.

Founded in 2007, Chess.com began as a website for chess enthusiasts and quickly became a hub for teaching, practice, analysis, and entertainment, serving players of all levels and ages. The number of users, already significant during the pandemic, grew even more with the strengthening of cultural and technological trends.

The Online Chess Revolution

Chess.com's growth was driven by a combination of factors:

• COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2022): With millions of people at home, online chess experienced a true "boom." Chess.com saw an exponential increase in new registrations, games played, and premium subscriptions.

• "The Queen's Gambit" Series (Netflix): The global success of the series in 2020 generated renewed interest in chess, especially among young people and women, bringing millions of new players to the platform.

• Streaming and eSports: Popular streamers and grandmasters began broadcasting live games on Twitch and YouTube, connecting chess to a new digital generation.

• Exclusive Events like PogChamps: Chess tournaments between streamers, celebrities, and influencers increased the visibility of the game and brought the community together in a relaxed way.

Launch of Virtual Coach with Artificial Intelligence

To celebrate 200 million members, Chess.com launched a personalized virtual coach powered by artificial intelligence. The feature offers a more interactive and dynamic learning experience for players of all levels.

According to Albert Cheng, Chief Growth Officer of the platform, the new coach "combines automated game analysis, verbal feedback with AI-generated voices, engaging animations, and personalized study recommendations." The system is capable of identifying weaknesses in the user's game and suggesting specific exercises and lessons for each profile.

This type of personalization represents a significant evolution compared to previous tools, offering an experience comparable to that of a human coach — but accessible anytime, anywhere.

Virtual Coach Features:

• Automatic analysis with natural language

• Opening recommendations based on the player's style

• Lessons with videos and interactive exercises

• Audios with realistic virtual voices

• Detailed learning progress and metrics

The tool is initially available for premium members, but simplified versions may be launched for free users in the future.

Chess.com and Game Integrity

With the increase in popularity, the integrity of the competitive environment has become a priority. Chess.com uses advanced cheat detection technologies, based on machine learning, that analyze game patterns and behavior.

In addition, the platform has a team specializing in manual investigations and collaborations with international chess federations. According to a report released in 2023, less than 0.2% of games show suspicious behavior — a statistic that demonstrates the effectiveness of the measures.

Global Impact and Inclusive Access

Chess.com is available in over 60 languages and is used by players from all continents. With servers optimized for different regions, the platform offers a smooth experience even on slow connections.

The company also supports social and educational initiatives, providing free access to schools, community programs, and NGOs. In partnership with institutions such as FIDE (International Chess Federation), the site promotes school and Olympic championships.

Partnerships and Official Tournaments

Chess.com is the organizer of several high-level official events:

• Titled Tuesday: Weekly tournament with grandmasters and professional chess players

• Speed Chess Championship: Competition between the best players in the world in the blitz format

• Chess.com Global Championship: Tournament with million-dollar prizes and international coverage

• PogChamps: Entertainment event with famous influencers and streamers

These events not only drive the community but also position chess as a recognized eSport — including a confirmed presence at the Esports World Cup 2025, with a prize pool of $1.5 million.

Source: Chess.com