IM Levy Rozman, better known as GothamChess, has just made chess history. Just two moves into the GothamChess vs. The World match on Chess.com, he has officially broken the world record for the largest online chess match, surpassing 144,000 participants.
The previous record of 143,564 was set in May with Magnus vs. The World, a game where GM Magnus Carlsen was surprisingly held to a draw. Today, just two moves into Rozman’s game, that record was surpassed with more than 144,000 participants. With anyone able to join until the final move, the tally is expected to rise even further and possibly climb towards 200,000.
By the time the match began on September 29, close to 130,000 players had signed up. Of these, 100,000 voted for the first move.
The record fell shortly after The World played 2.d4 in response to Rozman’s trademark 1…c6, the Caro-Kann Defense. The move was made during Chess.com’s broadcast of Judit Polgar’s Global Chess Festival in Budapest.
“Can you imagine the YouTube title ‘I Beat The World With The Caro-Kann!’ It’s gonna be so good. With that, my first move is pawn to c6,” Rozman joked on the broadcast.
Can you imagine the YouTube title “I Beat The World With The Caro-Kann!” It’s gonna be so good!
—Levy Rozman
The World team is supported by Chess.com’s WIM Ayelen Martinez and NM Dane Mattson, who also provided analysis of The World’s match against Carlsen. “It’s incredibly exciting to be a part of this historic match,” said Mattson. “We’ll do our best to make Levy change at least a few words in that ‘dream’ YouTube title.”
Rozman, who dubbed himself “The Internet’s Chess Teacher,” is one of the most influential figures in the chess world, thanks to his YouTube channel, which boasts an incredible 6.7 million subscribers. The 29-year-old said before the match that his “main goal is to avoid embarrassment,” knowing full well that he is walking in the footsteps of legends.
Before Carlsen, former world champion GM Viswanathan Anand held the record after defeating nearly 70,000 players in Vishy vs. The World, an event organized by Chess.com as a tribute to GM Garry Kasparov‘s historic 1999 match against 50,000 players online.
Speaking to IM Tania Sachdev on the broadcast, Rozman said he initially was reluctant to take part in the event and being placed in the same sentence as legends.
“But then I said let’s do it! Let’s make this an opportunity to unite the people of the chess world, casual fans, hardcore fans, titled players and amateurs. Let’s try to get a million people and crash Chess.com!” he joked, noting 128,000 had joined forces before the first move had even been made.
Let’s try to get a million people and crash Chess.com!
—Levy Rozman
NM Sam Copeland, Chess.com’s Head of Community, is also excited.
Levy is such a tremendous teacher, popularizer, and entertainer in chess. Usually, his many fans watch his play against other titled players, but now they get to compete directly with him—guessing his next move, voting for their favorite moves, and trying to sway other voters to support their ideas. It will be a special game, and I’m eager to see how it plays out!
It’s not too late to join the game and discuss the moves with our community!
Do you think GothamChess can write the YouTube title of his dreams, or will his more than 144,000 opponents spoil the ending?
