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How to Be a Top Blogger on Chess.com: A Complete Guide

How to Be a Top Blogger on Chess.com: A Complete Guide

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1. Understand the Chess.com Blogging Platform

Before you begin, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with how blogging works on Chess.com:

  • Community Blogs: Anyone with an account can write and publish blogs.

  • Top Bloggers Section: Featured bloggers are shown based on popularity, consistency, originality, and impact.

  • Reach & Visibility: Popular posts may be featured on the homepage, in newsletters, or shared on social media.

✅ Tip: Explore blogs by top users like IM Silman, GM Daniel Naroditsky, or ChessNetwork for inspiration.

2. Choose a Niche Within Chess

While chess itself is a niche, narrowing your focus will help build a loyal audience. Consider writing about:

  • Opening theory (e.g., "Crushing With the London System")

  • Tactics & puzzles (e.g., "5 Puzzles That Tricked Me This Week")

  • Chess history (e.g., "The Magic of Mikhail Tal")

  • Personal improvement journeys (e.g., "How I Went from 800 to 1400 in 6 Months")

  • Game analysis (e.g., “What I Learned From Losing to a 2000-Rated Player”)

  • Humor and memes (e.g., "10 Times I Blundered Like a Beginner")

🎯 Aim: Find your unique voice — readers come back to personalities they connect with.

3. Write Engaging, High-Quality Content

Quality always wins over quantity. To write great chess blogs:

📌 Structure Matters:

  • Catchy Title: Use clear, attention-grabbing headlines.

  • Strong Introduction: Hook the reader with a question or bold statement.

  • Easy-to-Read Layout: Use headings, bullet points, and images.

  • Conclusion with a Call-to-Action (CTA): Ask readers to comment, share their experience, or follow your blog.

📌 Use Visuals:

  • Embed boards and diagrams using the Chess.com board editor.

  • Use GIFs or screenshots for humor or instruction.

📌 Add Your Personality:

  • Write with passion, humor, or storytelling.

  • Share your own struggles or wins in chess — people love relatable content.

4. Be Consistent and Active

Success doesn’t happen overnight. Stick to a publishing schedule:

  • Start with 1–2 posts per week.

  • Respond to comments and feedback.

  • Keep improving your writing style over time.

📅 Pro Tip: Use holidays or major chess events (like the Chess.com Global Championship or Candidates Tournament) to publish timely posts.

5. Promote Your Blog

A blog without readers won’t go far. Promote it by:

  • Sharing your blog on your Chess.com profile and clubs.

  • Joining and engaging with chess forums and club groups.

  • Posting links to your blog on Reddit (r/chess), Discord servers, Twitter/X, and Facebook chess groups.

  • Asking friends or streamers to read and give feedback.

🚀 Bonus Tip: If your blog is truly great, moderators may feature it, giving it massive exposure.

6. Study What Works

Look at the stats of your own blogs and those of other top bloggers:

  • What topics get the most views?

  • Which headlines grab attention?

  • What kind of posts get featured or commented on the most?

🔍 Use that data to guide your next blogs.

7. Connect with the Chess.com Community

Networking matters even in blogging. To grow your influence:

  • Follow other bloggers and leave thoughtful comments.

  • Participate in community challenges or writing contests.

  • Message Chess.com staff if you feel a post deserves to be featured.

💬 Active bloggers often get invited to write official content or collaborate on special projects.

8. Stay Updated with Chess Trends

Know what's happening in the chess world. Writing about hot topics like:

  • Magnus Carlsen’s latest performance

  • Big tournaments like the Candidates or Speed Chess Championship

  • New AI tools or features on Chess.com

  • Chess dramas or viral moments

🔥 Trend-driven blogs can go viral if you're fast and insightful.

9. Use the Blog to Learn and Teach

Top bloggers are often not just entertainers but educators. Use your blog to:

  • Analyze your own games and share lessons

  • Offer training plans and resources

  • Discuss chess psychology, tilt, time management, etc.

  • Invite discussion and feedback from stronger players

📈 You help others grow — and grow yourself in the process.

10. Keep Improving Your Craft

Being a top blogger means being a lifelong learner. Improve your:

  • Writing: Study storytelling, headlines, and formatting.

  • Chess: Stronger players = deeper insights.

  • Presentation: Add diagrams, clean formatting, and polish.

🧠 Read books, study top blogs, and always ask: How can I make my next blog better than the last?

Final Thoughts

Becoming a top blogger on Chess.com is a blend of passion, consistency, community involvement, and creativity. You don’t need to be a grandmaster — you just need to share your love for chess in a way that’s honest, engaging, and helpful.

Write with your heart, connect with readers, and let your voice grow. The Chess.com community is vast and hungry for great content — why not let yours be next?