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PogChamps
PogChamps
PogChamps
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PogChamps
GameChess
Founded2020
OwnerChess.com
VenueTwitch (online)

PogChamps is a series of online amateur chess tournaments hosted by Chess.com. Players in the tournament are internet personalities, primarily Twitch streamers. The first four PogChamps tournaments took place over the course of two weeks, while the fifth iteration lasted four weeks.[1] The first and second PogChamps had prize pools of $50,000 each,[2][3] and later editions had prize pools of $100,000 each.[4][5][6][7]

Tournament history

[edit]

The first PogChamps tournament was announced in late May 2020 by Chess.com. The games were played in the 10+5 Rapid Time control and all 16 players were streamers on Twitch.[8][9] Running from June 5–19, the tournament was won by League of Legends streamer Voyboy.[10] Coaching and commentary was provided primarily by Grandmaster (GM) Hikaru Nakamura and Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Alexandra Botez.[11]

PogChamps 2 was announced on July 20, 2020 and was played from August 21 through September 6. Some players returned from the first tournament, while others, such as David Pakman and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, played in the tournament for the first time.[12][13] PogChamps 2's lineup included some players who were not primarily Twitch streamers.[3] This event featured a slightly different format, with two game matches in the group stage.[3] Coaches included previously mentioned Nakamura and Botez, as well as GM Daniel Naroditsky, Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Qiyu Zhou, International Master (IM) Anna Rudolf and IM Levy Rozman.[3] The tournament was ultimately won by World of Warcraft and Hearthstone streamer Hafu (itshafu).[14]

PogChamps 3 was announced on January 11, 2021 and was played from February 14 through February 28. Notable contestants for the third event include streamers xQc (marking his third time participating), Ludwig and MoistCr1tikal (marking their second times participating), as well as Myth, Pokimane, and Neekolul; YouTubers MrBeast and Michelle Khare, rapper Logic, actor Rainn Wilson and poker player Daniel Negreanu. In the announcement article, Chess.com noted how previous PogChamps tournaments, as well as other external events such as the success of The Queen's Gambit on Netflix, had led to a dramatic increase in the number of site registrations and daily games played, allowing them to gain several sponsorships for the third iteration of the series, which in turn led to an increased prize pool of $100,000.[4] The tournament was won by French streamer Sardoche.[15]

PogChamps 4 was announced in a video via Chess.com's official Twitter account on July 6, 2021 to be played beginning on August 29. Sponsored by cryptocurrency marketplace Coinbase, the fourth iteration of the tournament has a $100,000 prize pool, with Chess.com matching up to $100,000 additionally for charity. In a Chess.com stream of the FIDE World Cup, Daniel Naroditsky confirmed that previous PogChamps participants MrBeast and Ludwig will return.[16] This information was further corroborated by an article announcing that in addition to MrBeast and Ludwig returning, notable Spanish streamer Rubius would return as well for the fourth iteration of the event.[5] The tournament was won by Dutch streamer Fundy.

PogChamps 5 was announced on June 29, 2023 from a Chess.com announcement video on YouTube. The event began on July 26.[17] For the first time, the event featured over-the-board play. Only the finals were over-the-board, which were held as best of four matches in Los Angeles on August 18. Voice actor and streamer CDawgVA won the tournament.[18]

PogChamps 6 was announced on March 20, 2025 during a Chess.com broadcast.[19] The event was played from April 29 to May 2, and was won by English international footballer Eberechi Eze.[20]

Reception

[edit]

Chess.com claimed that viewership for the first tournament exceeded its "ambitious estimates." Trent Murray of The Esports Observer commented that the number of hours of chess watched on Twitch increased in June 2020, the month in which the first PogChamps took place.[21] Viewership increased especially after video of Cr1TiKaL checkmating xQc within 6 moves went viral. David Llada, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for FIDE, said that the competition "demonstrates that chess can be fun from minute one."[22]

The reaction to PogChamps from the Chess community has been mixed. While GMs Hikaru Nakamura, Daniel Naroditsky, and Robert Hess; IMs Anna Rudolf, Levy "GothamChess" Rozman, and Daniel Rensch; WGM Zhou; and WFMs Botez and Anna Cramling have all supported PogChamps by coaching players and providing commentary for the matches, a few others have been critical of its popularity and growth. In February 2021, GM Ian Nepomniachtchi tweeted saying PogChamps 3 is promoted "as a popcorn stuff" and "is replacing and displacing any real chess content".[23] GM Magnus Carlsen has called PogChamps a "good initiative" and tweeted that "[PogChamps 3] is doing a great job in [bringing] chess to more people."[24] GM Anish Giri responded tweeting that he is "in a complete agreement [with Magnus Carlsen] for once."[25]

Nepomniachtchi later clarified saying that he is "obviously happy more and more people are getting involved into chess."[26] He voiced his concern saying the "indisputable success of Chess.com Pogchamps might set a new standard of a chess show" and he "can’t be sure it won’t prevail over other formats."[27] In the twitter post he also mentioned that he had previously contributed to PogChamps by coaching PogChamps 2 winner itsHafu.[27] GM Nakamura has shared his perspective on multiple occasions, supporting the tournament saying that "anything that brings chess to a bigger audience, anything where people can get into the game (and) understand it, is always going to be helpful for growing the game without a doubt."[28]

Event results

[edit]

Overview

[edit]
# Year Champion Score Runner-up
1 2020 Voyboy 2.0–1.0 Hutch
2 itsHafu 2.0–0.0 Gripex90
3 2021 Sardoche 2.0–1.0 RainnWilson
4 Fundy 2.0–1.0 crokeyz
5 2023 CDawgVA 3.0–1.0 Franks-is-heres
6 2025 Eberechi Eze 2.0–0.0 Sapnap

PogChamps 1

[edit]
Group Stage[29][30]

Group stage play in the inaugural PogChamps was a single game against each opponent.

Group A
Player 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Voyboy 1 1 0 2
2 NateHill 0 ½ 1 1½
3 fuslie 0 ½ Does not appear 1 1½
4 erobb221 1 0 0 Does not appear 1
Group B
Player 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Hutch 1 1 1 3
2 Yassuo 0 1 1 2
3 moistcr1tikal 0 0 Does not appear 1 1
4 xQcOW 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Group C
Player 1 2 3 4 Total
1 NymN 1 1 1 3
2 forsen 0 1 1 2
3 ItsSlikeR 0 0 Does not appear 1 1
4 xChocoBars 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Group D
Player 1 2 3 4 Total
1 boxbox 1 1 1 3
2 Papaplatte 0 1 1 2
3 ludwig 0 0 Does not appear 1 1
4 Swiftor 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Championship bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
         
Voyboy 2.0
Yassuo 0.0
Voyboy 2.0
boxbox 0.0
boxbox 2.0
forsen 1.0
Voyboy 2.0
Hutch 1.0
NymN 2.0
Papaplatte 0.0
NymN 1.0
Hutch 2.0
Hutch 2.0
NateHill 0.0
Consolation bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
         
fuslie 0.5
xQcOW 1.5
xQcOW 1.0
ludwig 2.0
ludwig 2.0
xChocoBars 0.0
ludwig 1.0
moistcr1tikal 2.0
ItsSlikeR 1.0
Swiftor 0.0
ItsSlikeR 1.0
moistcr1tikal 2.0
moistcr1tikal 2.0
erobb221 0.0

PogChamps 2

[edit]
Group Stage[31]

Beginning with PogChamps 2, group stage play went to a new format consisting of two-game matches against each opponent. 3 points were awarded for winning a match outright and 2 points were awarded for winning a match via a tiebreaker game. The loser of the tiebreaker game would receive 1 point.

Group A
Player 1 2 3 4 Total
1 Gripex90 3 2 3 8
2 forsen 0 3 3 6
3 Cizzorz 1 0 Does not appear 3 4
4 CallMeCarsonLIVE 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Group B
Player 1 2 3 4 Total
1 itsHafu 3 3 3 9
2 DavidPakman 0 3 3 6
3 easywithaces 0 0 Does not appear 3 3
4 xQcOW 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Group C
Player 1 2 3 4 Total
1 TFBlade 0 3 3 6
2 dogdog 3 1 2 6
3 TSM_ZexRow 0 2 Does not appear 3 5
4 QTCinderella 0 1 0 Does not appear 1
Group D
Player 1 2 3 4 Total
1 WagamamaTV 3 3 3 9
2 Hafthorjulius 0 3 3 6
3 ConnorEatsPants 0 0 Does not appear 3 3
4 AustinShow 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Championship bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
         
Gripex90 2.0
DavidPakman 0.0
Gripex90 2.0
dogdog 1.0
WagamamaTV 1.0
dogdog 2.0
Gripex90 0.0
itsHafu 2.0
TFBlade 2.0
Hafthorjulius 1.0
TFBlade 0.0
itsHafu 2.0
itsHafu 2.0
forsen 0.0
Consolation bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
         
Cizzorz 2.5
xQcOW 1.5
Cizzorz 2.0
QTCinderella 0.0
ConnorEatsPants 1.0
QTCinderella 2.0
Cizzorz 0.0
easywithaces 2.0
TSM_ZexRow 2.0
AustinShow 0.0
TSM_ZexRow 0.5
easywithaces 1.5
easywithaces 2.0
CallMeCarsonLIVE 0.0

PogChamps 3

[edit]
Group Stage[32]
Group A
Player 1 2 3 4 Total
1 benjyfishy 3 3 3 9
2 Sardoche 0 3 3 6
3 Neeko 0 0 Does not appear 3 3
4 Myth 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Group B
Player 1 2 3 4 Total
1 xQcOW 3 3 3 9
2 dnegspoker 0 3 3 6
3 pokimane 0 0 Does not appear 3 3
4 Rubius 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Group C
Player 1 2 3 4 Total
1 RainnWilson 2 3 2 7
2 logic 1 3 3 7
3 Tubbo 0 0 Does not appear 3 3
4 MichelleKhare 1 0 0 Does not appear 1
Group D
Player 1 2 3 4 Total
1 ludwig 2 3 3 8
2 moistcr1tikal 1 3 3 7
3 MrBeast6000 0 0 Does not appear 3 3
4 CodeMiko 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Championship bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
         
benjyfishy 2.0
dnegspoker 1.0
benjyfishy 0.5
RainnWilson 1.5
RainnWilson 1.5
moistcr1tikal 0.5
RainnWilson 1.0
Sardoche 2.0
ludwig 2.0
logic 1.0
ludwig 1.0
Sardoche 2.0
xQcOW 0.0
Sardoche 2.0
Consolation bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
         
Neeko 2.0
Rubius 1.0
Neeko 2.0
Tubbo 1.0
Tubbo 2.0
CodeMiko 0.0
Neeko 2.0
MichelleKhare 0.0
MrBeast6000 0.0
MichelleKhare 2.0
MichelleKhare 2.0
pokimane 0.0
pokimane 2.0
Myth 0.0

PogChamps 4

[edit]
Group Stage[5]
Group A
Player 1 2 3 4 Pts
1 5uppp 2 3 3 8
2 Ludwig 1 2 3 6
3 MrBeast 0 1 Does not appear 3 4
4 jakenbakeLIVE 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Group B
Player 1 2 3 4 Pts
1 boxbox 3 3 3 9
2 Sapnap 0 3 3 6
3 JustaMinx 0 0 Does not appear 3 3
4 harrymackofficial 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Group C
Player 1 2 3 4 Pts
1 Fundy 3 3 3 9
2 QTCinderella 0 3 2 5
3 Tectone 0 0 Does not appear 3 3
4 NickEh30 0 1 0 Does not appear 1
Group D
Player 1 2 3 4 Pts
1 crokeyz 3 3 3 9
2 IamCristinini 0 3 3 6
3 Rubius 0 0 Does not appear 3 3
4 Punz 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Championship bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
         
5uppp 2.0
Sapnap 0.0
5uppp 0.0
Fundy 2.0
IamCristinini 0.0
Fundy 2.0
Fundy 2.0
crokeyz 1.0
Ludwig 0.5
boxbox 1.5
boxbox 1.0
crokeyz 2.0
crokeyz 2.0
QTCinderella 0.0
Consolation bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
         
harrymackofficial 0.5
MrBeast 1.5
MrBeast 2.0
Tectone 0.0
Punz 0.0*
Tectone 2.0*
MrBeast 2.0
Rubius 1.0
jakenbakeLIVE 2.0
JustaMinx 0.0
jakenbakeLIVE 0.5
Rubius 1.5
Rubius 2.0
NickEh30 0.0

* Punz loss on forfeit. Win awarded to Tectone by default.

PogChamps 5

[edit]
Group Stage[1]
Group A
Player 1 2 3 4 Pts
1 CDawgVA 3 2 3 8
2 Franks-is-heres 0 3 2 5
3 Jarvis 1 0 Does not appear 3 4
4 Sykkuno 0 1 0 Does not appear 1
Group B
Player 1 2 3 4 Pts
1 Ghastly 2 2 3 7
2 Sapnap 1 2 3 6
3 Wirtual 1 1 Does not appear 3 5
4 Daily Dose of Internet 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Group C
Player 1 2 3 4 Pts
1 xQc 3 3 3 9
2 Tyler1 0 2 3 5
3 Squeex 0 1 Does not appear 3 4
4 Jinnytty 0 0 0 Does not appear 0
Group D
Player 1 2 3 4 Pts
1 I did a thing 1 3 3 7
2 Papaplatte 2 1 3 6
3 QTCinderella 0 2 Does not appear 2 4
4 Fuslie 0 0 1 Does not appear 1
Championship bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
         
CDawgVA 2.0
Sapnap 1.0
CDawgVA 2.0
I did a thing 0.0
I did a thing 2.0
Tyler1 0.0
CDawgVA 3.0
Franks-is-heres 1.0
Ghastly 1.0
Franks-is-heres 2.0
Franks-is-heres 2.0
xQc 0.0
xQc 2.5
Papaplatte 1.5
Consolation bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
         
Jarvis 0.0
Daily Dose of Internet 2.0
Daily Dose of Internet 0.0
QTCinderella 2.0
QTCinderella 2.0
Jinnytty 0.0
QTCinderella 0.0
Wirtual 3.0
Wirtual 2.0
Sykkuno 0.0
Wirtual 2.0
Squeex 0.0
Squeex 2.0
Fuslie 0.0

PogChamps 6

[edit]
Group Stage[7]
Group A
Player 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pts
1 Eberechi Eze 2 2 2 3 3 12
2 Sambucha 1 2 3 3 3 12
3 Inoxtag 1 1 3 3 3 11
4 Mongraal 1 0 0 3 3 7
5 LydiaViolet 0 0 0 0 3 3
6 Linzor 0 0 0 0 0 0
Group B
Player 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pts
1 WolfeyVGC 3 3 3 3* 3 15
2 Stephen Nedoroscik 0 3 3 3 3 12
3 Sapnap 0 0 3 2 2 7
4 Filian 0 0 0 2 3 5
5 DrLupo 0* 0 1 1 3 5
6 Hungrybox 0 0 1 0 0 1 1

* DrLupo won the match 2-0, but was disqualified from the tournament for cheating using a chess engine.[33]

Championship bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
Eberechi Eze 2.0
Stephen Nedoroscik 2.0 Stephen Nedoroscik 0.0
Inoxtag 1.0 Eberechi Eze 2.0
Sapnap 0.0
WolfeyVGC 1.0
Sambucha 0.0 Sapnap 2.0
Sapnap 2.0
Consolation bracket
Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
Mongraal 2.0
Hungrybox 1.0 Linzor 0.0
Linzor 2.0 Mongraal 2.0
LydiaViolet 0.0
Filian 0.0
LydiaViolet 1.5 LydiaViolet 2.0
Macaiyla* 0.5

* Entered the consolation bracket in place of the disqualified DrLupo.

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

PogChamps

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
PogChamps is a series of online amateur chess tournaments organized by , featuring popular content creators, streamers, and celebrities who are not professional chess players, with live coaching and commentary provided by grandmasters to make the event accessible and entertaining. Launched in 2020 amid a surge in chess popularity during the , PogChamps was inspired by the viral success of streamers like playing chess on Twitch and the iconic emote. The inaugural edition, held from June 5 to 19, 2020, featured 16 participants in a group stage followed by knockout brackets, culminating in content creator Voyboy defeating Hutch in the final. Subsequent editions have expanded the format slightly while maintaining a focus on rapid time controls (typically 10 minutes plus 5-second increments) and high-stakes entertainment, with prize funds growing from $50,000 in the first tournament to $100,000 by the sixth. Notable winners include Hafu in PogChamps 2 (August 21–September 6, 2020), the first woman to claim the title; Sardoche in PogChamps 3 (February 14–28, 2021), which raised $150,000 for charity; Fundy in PogChamps 4 (August 29–September 12, 2021); in PogChamps 5 (July 26–August 18, 2023); and Ebere Eze, a soccer player, in PogChamps 6 (April 29–May 2, 2025), who won undefeated in the bracket stage by defeating 2-0 in the final amid a disqualification for cheating involving participant . Participants across editions have included prominent figures such as , Ludwig, , , and athletes like Steve Nedoroscik, often leading to memorable blunders and viral moments that highlight the players' inexperience. The tournament has significantly boosted chess's visibility, attracting millions of viewers to Twitch and broadcasts and introducing the game to non-traditional audiences through humor and celebrity appeal, while also partnering with organizations like for added production value. Coaches like and have played key roles in educating players live, further enhancing the educational aspect of the event. By PogChamps 6, the series had solidified its reputation as a flagship amateur event, blending competition with community engagement and charity initiatives.

Overview

Concept and origins

PogChamps is a series of tournaments organized by , featuring content creators, streamers, and celebrities who are typically chess novices. The event emphasizes entertainment over competitive expertise, pairing amateur players in matches broadcast live on platforms like Twitch to appeal to younger, online-savvy audiences unfamiliar with traditional chess formats. The tournament originated in 2020 amid the , when global lockdowns spurred a surge in online gaming and streaming activities, including chess. Chess.com launched the inaugural PogChamps on May 25, 2020, with the first edition running from June 5 to 19, drawing inspiration from the popular Twitch emote "," which expresses excitement and surprise. This initiative built on earlier momentum, such as streamer xQc's viral chess streams in March 2020 and grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura's involvement in promoting the game online. The core motivation was to make chess more relatable and enjoyable by highlighting humor and accessibility, countering its reputation as a serious, elite pursuit. Participants received coaching from grandmasters like and Woman FIDE Master , leading to lighthearted moments such as quick blunders and on-stream lessons. Side events, including "Guess the Elo," where viewers estimated players' skill ratings, further amplified the fun, engaging atmosphere. What began as a one-off event evolved into an annual series, with subsequent editions expanding the format while retaining its playful essence. The name "" cleverly combines "" with "chess champion," symbolizing triumphant, hype-filled moments in amateur play.

Organizers and production

is organized by , the leading platform, which serves as the host and manages all tournament logistics from player invitations to match scheduling. The event partners closely with Twitch, the popular live-streaming service, to broadcast and engage the streaming on Twitch's in popularizing chess content during the early . 's co-founder and CEO, Erik Allebest, has overseen the event's development as part of the platform's broader strategy to expand chess's audience through entertainment-focused initiatives. Key figures in production include grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, who has served as a coach, on-stream instructor, and lead commentator since the inaugural edition, providing real-time analysis to enhance viewer understanding. International master Levy Rozman, known as GothamChess, joined as a commentator starting with PogChamps 2, contributing engaging breakdowns and educational segments that appeal to beginners. Other Chess.com staff, such as chief chess officer Daniel Rensch, support commentary and event coordination, ensuring seamless integration of expert insights with the amateur competition. Production emphasizes immersive live streaming on Twitch, utilizing the main channel alongside delayed streams from participants' personal channels to maximize reach without allowing real-time assistance. Chat interactions are incorporated through viewer incentives like random Diamond membership giveaways, fostering community participation while maintaining fair play rules that prohibit external coaching via chat. Sponsors, including 's premium subscription services, integrate promotions such as membership upgrades tied to event viewership, alongside occasional brand partners that align with the streaming ecosystem. Over time, production has evolved to include hybrid formats, with early editions fully online giving way to in-person finals in later ones like PogChamps 5, held live in Los Angeles to heighten excitement and audience attendance. This shift was enabled by partnerships with and content organizations, such as Mogul Moves and Offbrand for PogChamps 5, and creators like as a host, expanding the event's production scale and crossover appeal.

Format

Player selection and preparation

Participants in PogChamps are primarily selected from Twitch streamers, YouTubers, and celebrities who command large online audiences but possess minimal to no prior chess experience, with invitations extended based on their potential to deliver entertainment and draw in new viewers to the game. This criteria ensures a field of engaging personalities whose reactions and learning curves appeal to a broad, non-traditional chess audience. To level the playing field for these novices, all participants undergo a structured preparation process involving mandatory lessons with grandmaster and international master coaches, such as GM and IM Danny Rensch. These sessions focus on core fundamentals, including basic openings, tactical patterns, and endgame principles, and are often conducted live on stream to build excitement; training is tailored to individual needs for optimal progress. Upon entering the , players receive estimated beginner Elo ratings, generally in the 400-800 range, to reflect their entry-level proficiency and facilitate fair matchmaking. Personalized plans are provided to address specific weaknesses identified during initial assessments, helping participants build confidence ahead of competition. Across editions, the preparation framework has remained consistent in emphasizing beginner-friendly onboarding, though logistical adjustments occurred, such as reducing the player field from 16 in the first five events to 12 in PogChamps 6 for streamlined scheduling and quicker progression.

Tournament rules and structure

PogChamps tournaments employ a rapid time control of 10 minutes per player plus a 5-second increment per move for all main games, allowing for dynamic play suitable for beginner-level participants while maintaining competitive pacing. This format has been consistent across editions, though tiebreaker games use a faster 3+5 control (3 minutes base plus 5-second increment). For editions 1 through 5, the structure featured 16 players divided into four round-robin groups of four, where each player competes in two-game matches against every other member of their group. Points are awarded as follows: 3 for an outright match win, 2 for winning a match via , 1 for losing a match in , and 0 for an outright loss. The top two finishers from each group advance to the single-elimination championship bracket, while the third- and fourth-place players proceed to a parallel consolation bracket; both brackets include quarterfinals and semifinals leading to finals. In the event of ties within groups, rankings are determined first by head-to-head match points, then by game points from regulation games, and finally by average CAPS (Chess Accuracy and Precision Score) across games. For individual matches tied after two games (one win each or both draws), players enter tiebreakers consisting of sudden-death games under , where the player with the higher CAPS score from the prior games receives and wins any draws; colors swap for subsequent games until a decisive result. Tournament rules strictly enforce fair play, with automatic forfeits and removal for detected , as occurred in PogChamps 6 when a participant was disqualified mid-event for using external assistance. Unique elements enhance entertainment, including banter booths where eliminated players provide live post-game commentary on ongoing matches to foster community interaction. Side events, such as viewer-voted challenges or tactical puzzles tied to the tournament, engage audiences beyond core matches. PogChamps 6 introduced adaptations for efficiency, featuring 12 players divided into two round-robin groups of six with the same two-game match and points system; the top three finishers from each group advanced to a six-player single-elimination championship bracket, while the bottom three proceeded to the consolation bracket, with the event compressed into four days.

Editions

Results summary

The PogChamps series has featured six editions since its inception, with 16 players in editions 1 through 5 and 12 players in edition 6. The prize pools increased from $50,000 for the first two editions to $100,000 for subsequent ones, reflecting growing investment in the event. Later editions also diversified participants by including professional athletes alongside content creators, such as Premier League footballer Ebere Eze in the sixth tournament.
EditionYearChampionRunner-upFinal ScoreParticipantsTotal Prize Pool
PogChamps 12020VoyboyHutch2-116$50,000
PogChamps 22020itsHafuGripex902-016$50,000
PogChamps 32021Sardoche2-116$100,000
PogChamps 42021FundyCrokeyz2-116$100,000
PogChamps 52023Franks-is-heres3-116$100,000
PogChamps 62025Ebere Eze2-012$100,000

PogChamps 1

PogChamps 1, the inaugural edition of the tournament series, took place entirely online from June 5 to June 19, 2020, hosted on the platform and broadcast live on Twitch. This event emerged amid the global , when lockdowns increased interest in indoor activities and online gaming, contributing to a surge in chess's popularity. The tournament featured a $50,000 prize pool and was structured with a group stage followed by single-elimination brackets, including both championship and consolation paths. The roster consisted of 16 beginner-level internet personalities, primarily Twitch streamers, who had little to no prior competitive chess experience. Notable participants included , Ludwig, Voyboy, Hutch, moistcr1tikal, , yassuo, and NymN, among others such as erobb221, , ItsSliker, NateHill, Papaplatte, Swiftor, , and boxbox. To prepare, players underwent introductory coaching sessions led by chess experts, including Grandmaster , Woman FIDE Master , and International Master Danny Rensch, who provided lessons on basic tactics, openings, and strategies tailored to their novice skill levels. Key events highlighted the players' rapid learning curves and entertaining blunders, which became emblematic of the series' appeal. In the championship bracket final, Voyboy emerged victorious over Hutch in a tense match that went to a blitz tiebreak, where Voyboy flagged Hutch after capitalizing on time pressure and aggressive play. Meanwhile, moistcr1tikal won the consolation final against Ludwig with a decisive in the final game, showcasing improved tactical awareness from pre-tournament training. These outcomes underscored the tournament's focus on fun and accessibility over expertise. Notable moments included high viewer engagement, with the opening day peaking at over 52,000 concurrent viewers on Twitch, reflecting the pandemic's role in drawing isolated audiences to interactive content. Iconic "Pog" reactions—named after the Twitch emote for surprise—arose from dramatic blunders, such as xQc's infamous six-move loss to moistcr1tikal early in the group stage, which went viral and exemplified the event's blend of humor and excitement. The tournament's success in captivating non-traditional audiences laid the foundation for future editions.

PogChamps 2

PogChamps 2, the second edition of the amateur series organized by , took place from August 21 to September 6, 2020, entirely online via the platform's streaming services. The event expanded on the debut's format with improved production elements, including live on-stream coaching from grandmasters such as and international masters like , who provided real-time guidance to players during matches. The tournament featured a roster of 16 internet personalities, blending returning participants from the inaugural event with prominent newcomers to broaden its appeal. returned as a familiar face, while fresh additions included Twitch streamers itshafu, , , CallMeCarson, Connoreatspants, wagamamatv, dogdog, and tfblade; content creators like , Cizzorz, and ; and celebrity Hafþór Björnsson, known as "" from . TSM_ZexRow, easywithaces, and Gripex90 rounded out the field, bringing a mix of gaming, commentary, and entertainment backgrounds to the competition. Participants underwent preparation through Chess.com's coaching resources, similar to the player selection process in prior editions. The group stage ran from August 21 to 31, dividing players into four groups of four for round-robin play, with winners advancing to the championship bracket and others entering the consolation bracket. Quarterfinals occurred September 2–4, semifinals on September 5, and the finals on September 6. Enhanced banter and interactive segments were a highlight, with commentators and players engaging in humorous exchanges during breaks, amplifying the event's lighthearted, community-driven atmosphere. itshafu emerged as after defeating Gripex90 2–0 in the final; in the first game, she capitalized on opening preparation to win a and later forked the opponent's queen, while the second featured a decisive rook leading to . The total prize pool stood at $50,000, distributed across brackets: $30,000 for the (with $10,000 to the winner) and $16,000 for the consolation, plus $4,000 for group stage winners. While not formally integrated as in later editions, individual players like itshafu incorporated charity elements into their personal streams tied to , contributing to broader efforts around the tournament series.

PogChamps 3

PogChamps 3, the third installment in the series, took place from February 14 to 28, 2021, as an entirely online event hosted by . This edition followed closely after PogChamps 2, marking a rapid turnaround of just five months and reflecting the growing momentum of the tournament amid the ongoing popularity of chess streaming. The event featured an expanded prize pool of $100,000, doubling that of previous editions, with a portion directed toward charity initiatives; Chess.com matched viewer donations up to $100,000, ultimately raising over $150,000 for various causes. The tournament included 16 internet personalities divided into four groups of four, with participants selected based on their streaming prominence and potential to engage audiences, emphasizing diversity across gaming, music, and entertainment. Notable entrants included YouTuber , rapper Logic, actor , poker professional , and streamers such as , , Ludwig, and Tubbo. A significant thematic shift was the increased representation of female participants, including , , , and , who brought fresh dynamics to the competition and highlighted efforts to broaden inclusivity in the event's roster. The group stage ran from February 14 to 21, with winners advancing to an eight-player championship bracket and others to a consolation bracket from February 23 to 28. Key events included standout performances by underdogs like Rainn Wilson, who advanced to the final with a rating over 1300, and Michelle Khare, who upset higher-seeded opponents to reach the semifinals. The championship final pitted French streamer Sardoche against Rainn Wilson in a best-of-three series that went to a blitz tiebreaker; after two draws and a win for Wilson in the second game, Sardoche clinched the title in the decisive third game via a checkmating sequence following a blunder by Wilson. Notable moments included exhibition-style coaching segments with professional players like Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura and International Master , who provided live analysis and tips, enhancing the educational aspect for viewers. The event also featured "all-star" interludes where pros demonstrated advanced tactics against select participant moves, bridging amateur play with expert insights. Charity tie-ins extended beyond the prize pool, with donation drives tied to memorable blunders and upsets, such as Pokimane's resilient defenses and xQc's chaotic group stage run, contributing to the tournament's record viewership and cultural impact.

PogChamps 4

PogChamps 4 took place from August 29 to September 12, 2021, entirely online via Chess.com's platform, marking a significant escalation in production scale with sponsorship from Coinbase and a focus on high-profile content creators to broaden the event's reach beyond traditional chess audiences. The tournament followed the established format of a group stage followed by playoffs, featuring 16 participants divided into four groups, with winners advancing to a single-elimination bracket. The roster included prominent internet personalities such as , (Jimmy Donaldson), Rubius, IAmCristinini, , NickEh30, Tectone, Fundy, Harry Mack, , BoxBox, JustaMinx, Crokeyz, 5upp, JakenBakeLIVE, and Punz, selected for their massive online followings to maximize entertainment value and viewer engagement. These participants underwent pre-tournament with chess coaches, emphasizing fun and accessibility over competitive expertise, which helped introduce chess to millions of new fans through relatable, humorous gameplay. In the championship finals, Fundy emerged as the winner after defeating Crokeyz in a blitz tiebreak, securing the top prize of $20,000 from the event's $100,000 pool, while claimed the consolation bracket title by outlasting Rubius in a dramatic tiebreak marred by repeated stalemates. The tournament achieved a peak concurrent viewership of 78,125, contributing to over 1.6 million hours watched across broadcasts, underscoring its growing popularity and role in popularizing chess online.

PogChamps 5

PogChamps 5 took place from July 25 to August 18, 2023, with the group stage and playoffs conducted online and the finals held in person at a live event in , . The tournament featured a roster of 16 internet personalities and content creators, divided into four groups of four for the initial round-robin stage. Notable participants included Welsh YouTuber , American streamer , American Twitch streamer , American content creator , American YouTuber , American musician and streamer Ghastly, American YouTuber , Polish speedrunner Wirtual, American YouTuber Daily Dose of Internet, British YouTuber Franks-is-heres, American YouTuber Jarvis Johnson, French streamer Squeex, South Korean-American streamer , Australian YouTuber , German streamer Papaplatte, and American streamer . Players underwent preparation similar to previous editions, including personalized chess training sessions with international masters and grandmasters to build foundational skills and strategies. The event emphasized refined coaching approaches, with multiple grandmasters such as Hikaru Nakamura, Robert Hess, Daniel Naroditsky, and Aman Hambleton providing on-stream analysis and guidance during broadcasts, helping participants demonstrate noticeable improvements in tactics and endgame play compared to earlier PogChamps tournaments. In the championship bracket, emerged as the winner, defeating Franks-is-heres 3-1 in the grand final to claim the title of fifth PogChampion and a $20,000 prize. The overall prize pool totaled $100,000, distributed across the group stage, championship, and consolation brackets, with additional incentives like $400 per group stage win to encourage competitive play. Notable moments highlighted the evolving skill levels among participants, such as 's dramatic queen swindle in the final game, underscoring the impact of cumulative training from prior events on amateur performance.

PogChamps 6

PogChamps 6, the sixth edition of the amateur series hosted by , was announced on March 20, 2025, during a special broadcast outlining upcoming events. The tournament ran online from to May 2, 2025, featuring a condensed four-day schedule to accommodate participants' busy lifestyles. This edition emphasized a mix of professional athletes and content creators, aiming to broaden chess's appeal beyond gaming communities. With a $100,000 prize pool, the event drew significant attention for its blend of and competition. The 12 participants included a diverse roster of internet personalities and athletes: , a professional footballer for ; Stephen Nedoroscik, an Olympic gold medalist gymnast; Mongraal, a professional player; Inoxtag, a French known for extreme challenges; Filian, a popular ; , a five-time champion; Sambucha, a variety ; WolfeyVGC, a top Pokémon VGC competitor; , a Twitch variety streamer; Linzor, an and gaming content creator; Lydia Violet, a variety streamer; and Macaiyla, a gaming and lifestyle streamer. The field was selected to highlight crossovers between , sports, and streaming, with Eze's participation marking a notable inclusion of traditional sports talent. Participants underwent preparation through Chess.com's coaching resources, focusing on rapid chess fundamentals in a 10-minute plus 5-second increment format. The tournament structure involved a round-robin group stage divided into pools, with top performers advancing to the championship bracket and others to the consolation bracket—a adaptation for the smaller 12-player field to ensure more decisive matches. Key events unfolded dramatically on Day 2, where DrLupo upset WolfeyVGC 2-0 in a match that sparked controversy; analysis revealed DrLupo played several engine-perfect moves, including recoveries from blunders like hanging his queen. Chess.com launched an immediate investigation, disqualifying DrLupo on May 1, 2025, for a fair play violation after confirming engine assistance. DrLupo publicly admitted to the cheating, stating he had used an engine during the prize-money event and apologized for betraying the community's trust. His removal elevated other players, intensifying the bracket races. Notable moments included upsets like Sapnap's semifinal victory over WolfeyVGC using a Fried Liver Attack and Lydia Violet's innovative pawn-heavy endgames in the consolation bracket. Stephen Nedoroscik impressed with tactical blunders turned into wins, while Hungrybox's aggressive style led to early highlights. The final on May 2 pitted Ebere Eze against Sapnap, where Eze secured the championship with a clean 2-0 victory, remaining undefeated in the bracket stage through precise play and time management. Mongraal claimed the consolation bracket title, defeating Lydia Violet 2-0. Eze's win, as the first athlete champion, underscored the tournament's success in attracting non-traditional players, with the cheating scandal adding a layer of drama that fueled discussions on integrity in online chess events.

Impact and reception

Viewership and popularity

PogChamps has achieved significant viewership across its editions, primarily streamed on Twitch and , amassing millions of hours watched and introducing chess to broad online audiences. The inaugural event in drew an average of 42,000 concurrent viewers with a peak of 87,000, marking a substantial increase from prior chess broadcasts like the 2018 playoffs, which peaked at 100,000 overall. Subsequent editions built on this foundation, with the series collectively surpassing 15 million hours watched and peaks exceeding 375,000 concurrent viewers at its height. The tournament's growth reflects a shift from a niche streaming event to a mainstream catalyst for chess engagement, particularly during the when online entertainment surged. Viewership expanded rapidly, with PogChamps 3 in 2021 setting a record at over 375,000 peak concurrent viewers across platforms, more than quadrupling the first edition's high. This momentum correlated with broader chess adoption, including spikes in app downloads and active users on platforms like , which reported doubled traffic in peak periods following major events. By attracting Gen Z through accessible, entertaining formats, PogChamps contributed to chess's resurgence among younger demographics, with influencers driving viral interest on . Key factors in its popularity include high-profile participants like and Ludwig, whose massive followings—often exceeding 10 million—funneled audiences to chess content, alongside live coaching and humorous commentary that emphasized fun over expertise. Viral moments, such as Cr1TiKal's six-move against in the first edition, amplified reach through shares on platforms like and , generating millions of impressions. Cross-promotions via creators' channels further boosted exposure, turning individual matches into phenomena. Metrics varied by edition, illustrating both peaks and stabilization: PogChamps 2 reached over 79,000 concurrent viewers in key matches; PogChamps 4 hovered around 78,000 peaks amid a post-pandemic landscape; PogChamps 5 climbed to 182,000; and PogChamps 6 settled at approximately 38,000, still drawing substantial crowds despite evolving streaming trends. These figures underscore PogChamps' role in sustaining chess's online visibility, with events consistently ranking among Twitch's top non-gaming streams.

Controversies and legacy

Throughout its run, the PogChamps series has encountered notable controversies, particularly around cheating allegations and the balance between entertainment and competitive integrity. In May 2025, during PogChamps 6, popular streamer Benjamin "DrLupo" Lupo was disqualified midway through the tournament for a fair play violation after admitting to using an external and keeping the event broadcast visible on a secondary screen, which provided unintended advantages. This incident drew widespread backlash from the chess community, highlighting vulnerabilities in online amateur events with substantial prize pools, such as the $100,000 offered in the sixth edition. In response, Chess.com reinforced its commitment to fair play by enforcing the monitoring software across all prize-bearing events, including PogChamps, which tracks player activity on their devices to detect anomalies like unauthorized applications or divided attention. The platform issued a permanent ban on from its services, underscoring a zero-tolerance for violations. These measures have been credited with maintaining trust in subsequent competitions, though they have also fueled broader debates on inclusivity versus competitiveness—some argue that heavy-handed proctoring and requirements could deter creators from participating, potentially undermining the event's goal of making chess accessible to non-experts, while others view them as essential for preserving the game's credibility amid rising stakes. The legacy of PogChamps extends far beyond these challenges, significantly elevating chess's visibility and participation rates. The series contributed to a surge in new players on platforms like , aligning with registered users growing from about 37 million in early 2020 to 200 million as of April 2025,[] (https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/24/chess-com-reaches-200-million-members/) as influencer-driven content introduced the game to millions outside traditional audiences. By showcasing blunders and learning moments from celebrities, it demystified chess, fostering a more approachable entry point and inspiring a wave of similar creator-focused initiatives that blend streaming culture with strategic gameplay. Looking ahead, PogChamps continues to shape the fusion of and chess. The Super PogChamps tournament, announced on December 2, 2025, concluded with Samay Raina as the champion after an outstanding 10-0 run in the group stage. He defeated Andrea Botez in the semifinals and Sardoche in the finals, winning USD 10,000 which he donated. While no official date for PogChamps 7 has been set as of November 2025, the event's model remains influential in ongoing efforts to integrate chess into major frameworks, such as the Esports World Cup, signaling its enduring role in modernizing the sport.

References

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