Today: USA, Spain Set To Clash In Chess.com Team Battles

Chess.com's Team Battle series continues on Saturday, April 25 at 9 a.m. Pacific Time (6 p.m. Central European Time) on Twitch.tv/Chess. This week's match-up will feature an all-Chess.com commentator clash between the U.S. and Spain.

GM Robert Hess and IM Danny Rensch will play against GM Carlos Matamoros and FM Luis Siles, with the majority of proceeds going to Cruz Roja and Feeding America, two organizations helping to serve their countries during the COVID-19 crisis.

The match will last three hours, featuring three different sections: rapid, blitz, and blitz 960. Each team will be looking to win a best-of-three series within each section to score points in the match.

While many teams often agree to stick to conservative openings, Team Spain has made their strategy clear. "I promise to play dangerous gambits and surprising sacrifices, so after each loss, we can say we will play serious chess next," said Siles.

I promise to play dangerous gambits and surprising sacrifices, so after each loss, we can say we will play serious chess next.

FM Luis Siles

This team battle's prize fund will feature $500 in cash as a starting point with 40 percent of all in-stream donations going towards the prize fund with the remaining 60 percent going towards charities aimed at serving those coping with mental health challenges during the prolonged quarantine.

Rensch will be making his first Team Chess appearance since Team Chess.com faced Team Chessbrah last January.

"From my side, all I can say is I hope our commentary is half as entertaining as Luis' openings. It's an honor to go up against the most entertaining content contributor in the chess world today!" said Rensch, who will be looking to score his first Team Chess win since last year.

Along with playing for the prize pool, the players will compete on behalf of charities aimed at combating the negative mental health effects attributed to prolonged isolation, and viewers will be able to donate to them during the stream.

The last edition of Team Battles saw over $3,500 donated during the stream which contributed towards COVID-19 research and prevention around the world.

This team battle continues a series of creative clashes, including USA vs. Russia, Small Ball vs. Big Ball, and more on Twitch.tv/Chess and Chess.com/TV.