Chess.com announced today that it is partnering with CrunchLabs on the CrunchLabs Masters tour, the next leg of its Champions Chess Tour (CCT), which will run from July 17-24. As part of the CrunchLabs Masters, chess pros will compete for a $300,000 prize pool, with winners also having a chance to compete in the CCT finals. Some of the competitors include Magnus Carlsen, Alireza Firouzja, Wesley So and Maxime Vachier Lagrave.
As part of the event, CrunchLabs and Chess.com are also unveiling a bot based on the former’s “head nerd,” YouTuber Mark Rober. The RoberBot is designed to help burgeoning chess players improve their game, according to CrunchLabs. Fans can play against RoberBot while also receiving personalized quotes from Rober. CrunchLabs is also offering a limited-time discount to Chess.com fans who sign up for its subscription boxes.
Rober said in a statement, “It’s been awesome working with Erik and the Chess.com team and seeing how these Chess Masters dominate the game. The CrunchLabs formula is meant to get people stoked about science while having tons of fun. Similarly, Chess.com brings even more engagement and excitement to the game of chess and allows people to have a good time while learning more about the intricate sport. We can’t wait to see who comes out on top at The CrunchLabs Masters.”
Erik Allebest, CEO of Chess.com, said of the collaboration, “I’m a huge fan of both Mark Rober and CrunchLabs, my son and I have spent many years assembling science projects in a box and it has been incredibly bonding. I’ve been to the CrunchLabs offices and seen the passion driving their team and the ingenuity they bring to their projects, which we then get to enjoy at home. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the CrunchLabs team.”