The professional circuits in chess and other spectator sports have been cancelled or postponed. Amidst this drought of competitive entertainment comes the Magnus Carlsen Invitational.
The Magnus Carlsen Invitational is the first professional online chess tournament.
8 of the world's best players
large prize fund
2 weeks of action
7 rounds to decide the top four (April 18 - 30)
Semifinals and final of the top of four players (May 1 - 3)
16 days of action
4 rapid games per match with tie-breaks
Thrilling armageddon format to decide tiebreaks
15 minutes + 10 seconds per move
No draw offers before move 40
Magnus Carlsen
Norway
Fabiano Caruana
United States
Alireza Firouzja
FIDE
Anish Giri
Netherlands
Ding Liren
China
Hikaru Nakamura
United States
Ian Nepomniachtchi
Russia
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
France
Chess is global
It is estimed that 650m people play chess worldwide. The sport is the last major sport that has not yet been commercialized; chess has been waiting for this moment.
No sports on TV
Sports have been postponed or cancelled leaving viewers with little to watch and broadcasters little to show. This is the prime moment for new and existing audiences to follow chess and for media to distribute our content.