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Why Has Chess Become So Popular? - Andreas Solomou, Bancroft's School

Why Has Chess Become So Popular? - Andreas Solomou, Bancroft's School <i>(Image: Felix Mittermeier on Unsplash)</i>
Why Has Chess Become So Popular? - Andreas Solomou, Bancroft's School (Image: Felix Mittermeier on Unsplash)

In recent months and years, the number of people playing chess has increased staggeringly. While the game has always held prestigious events, where the best in the world competes, it is only recently that the average person has started taking an interest in the game.

According to chess.com, the site in which ‘more than one million games an hour’ take place regularly, the reasons for the expansion in chess vary.

Firstly, the reasons for the growth of chess in the years 2020 and 2021 were clear: lockdowns and The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix. However, currently the spike can be attributed to creators, streamers and coaches raising the chess content that they post. Similarly, in regard to chess content, the most popular social media post in 2022 featured Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing chess. These factors were integral to the advantages of chess spreading like wildfire through society. For the more dubious eye, the cheating controversy’s and the resulting drama involving the famous player Magnus Carlsen added to the interest surrounding chess, with news headlines surely interesting many to explore the game that was causing so much tension.

A game that improves memory, elevates creativity and planning skills has risen to the forefront of society in recent times.