Can Chess go Mainstream?

Can Chess Go Mainstream?

Recently, International Master Levy Rozman voiced concerns about how a canceled event between Magnus and Hikaru would have brought in tons of money and viewership, and could have hurt the expansion and popularization of chess. But one day, will the winner of the World Chess Championship be shown all over TV and the internet? Can a person turn on the tv and see Magnus vs Hikaru in the midst of an intense battle? Today we will be discussing the advantages and disadvantages that chess has if it tries to go mainstream. 

Advantages:

Name Recognition:

Chess is known worldwide and millions of people play the game. Most people know the rules, and chess is well respected because of its intellectual nature. This name recognition should help chess go mainstream because unlike other sports, people know what they are going to get when they watch chess. 

Engaging players and Commentators:

Chess personalities have really made the game explode in recent years. They have found success in making the game seem fun, and more accessible to players of all skill levels. Many of these commentators such as the likes of Robert Hess, David Howell, and Daniel Naroditsky have a way of explaining the intricacies of the game to a more beginner audience. A skill that will be necessary should chess go mainstream. 

Popularity among youth:

If you go to a chess tournament now you will see tons of kids. This is a very different shift from 20 years ago when many people who played chess were old. This proves to be a positive sign for chess as it is clearly growing in popularity and becoming a part of our generation’s culture.

Disadvantages:

Longer formats:

No matter how interesting the game or the players are, it seems hard to imagine the masses watching 7 hour classical chess games. We can see that even well established sports like baseball are shortening how long their games are to appeal to younger audiences. In a time where short form content reigns supreme, chess would need to shift to shorter time controls to truly expand the game.

Chess Stereotypes

Chess is the victim of stereotypes both good and bad. Some think of chess as a boring game just for nerds. Others see chess as too smart of a game for them to indulge in. Chess is a game full of thinking. It isn’t something you can just have going on in the background. Viewers have to actively think and calculate along with the players. This makes it very fun but also very tiring.

Difficulty finding access to broader audiences.

One of the biggest reasons chess boomed was because it gave people access to chess through Youtube, Twitch, and Netflix. But where is the platform where chess can take its next big step? It is hard to imagine chess securing major tv deals like other sporting events, but if it could get on ESPN, it would be huge. While chess has been growing rapidly it seems like it needs another big spark to push it into the mainstream.

What should chess do to try to go mainstream?

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