Julien Song VS Joachim Mouhamad : Chess Influencers Enter the Arena!
The Salle Molière was packed to the brim, with the crowd overflowing into the aisles—just like in the golden days of the Karpov Trophy.
Julien Song, 32-year-old International Master, is the undisputed No. 1 French chess influencer, with a total of 1.5 million followers across social media. Fan favorite and Elo favorite, he came in as the man to beat. Facing him was 32-year-old FIDE Master Joachim Mouhamad, the challenger whose dream is to become a grandmaster. He shares his epic journey with 200,000 online followers.
The clock started, the show began, and these two warriors went head-to-head in a fierce battle. The match was broadcast live online. In the hall, the crowd was strikingly young, cheering loudly for their heroes. But in the end, Elo logic prevailed: Julien triumphed. Perhaps this marks the beginning of a new tradition at the Rencontres—where the golden legacy of the Salle Molière meets the energy of social media.
To see the match:
Julien Song: “It’s something truly unique to experience!”
"I really wanted to beat Joachim, and I’m so happy I managed to do it—especially since I lost the first game. It was an emotional rollercoaster, but in the end, victory was mine. Honestly, it’s such a joy to have lived through this event. As a kid, I used to come to Cap d’Agde and watch the great champions play in the Salle Molière. To be in their place now is truly something unique! Many thanks to Capechecs and all the partners who made this possible. Playing in front of such a crowd is always the good kind of stress. At the core, we are content creators, and we’re here thanks to our communities. Meeting them in person is always a huge pleasure. Many of them are kids, and we always share such fun moments. Having their support is amazing!"
Joachim Mouhamad: “I feel like I’ve done my duty.”
"An incredible event. I feel privileged to have played in this hall where so many great names in chess history have competed. I feel like I’ve done my duty. I was afraid I wouldn’t live up to my very strong opponent, but in the end, I fought hard. From a chess perspective, I have no regrets—I gave everything I had. I think the audience enjoyed the energy I brought to the games. This will remain a very special memory for me for a very long time."
Quote of the Day
"I try to make chess less boring, more popular. What I do is a form of entertainment. You need a certain personality, you need to know what you’re talking about, but you also have to be able to interact with anyone. Most of my followers are below 1500 Elo. You need to speak to them at their level, explaining why the world’s best players make certain moves. I tell a story, with everything that surrounds it. It’s not really about top-level chess. I talk about education through chess and many other things. People enjoy it. They’re entertained, and they want to come back for more."
— Hikaru Nakamura, the world’s No. 1 chess influencer
