Get ready for a brand new era of Titled Tuesday! As recently announced, this 11-year-old institution is becoming part of the Champions Chess Tour qualification cycle for the Esports World Cup (EWC). The new Titled Tuesday season kicks off on September 2, 2025, with some exciting and important changes to the event itself, and Take Take Take as the new broadcast partner.
The new Titled Tuesday will see three major changes:
- A single tournament each week: After three-and-a-half years as a twice-a-week event, Titled Tuesday will go back to one tournament per week.
- New time control 5+0:, replacing 3+1: With the Esports World Cup this summer being played without increment (at 10+0), and Titled Tuesday now part of the same cycle, this change unifies the format of both events while retaining the fundamental character of Titled Tuesday as a blitz tournament.
- New proctoring requirement for all participants: The higher stakes (and the return of streaming prizes) also bring higher responsibility. Chess.com remains committed to creating a secure playing environment, and Proctor will continue to be a key part of that effort.
There are other changes downstream of the three main ones. Most notably, there are now $276,000 in prizes available throughout the year. Each of the 52 tournaments per year features a $3,000 prize fund—a 20% increase that will pay out six places instead of five, plus the return of streaming prizes—and there is an additional $120,000 available for placement throughout the year on four different leaderboards.
In addition to money, players are also awarded standings points for each top-10 finish in Titled Tuesday, with their top eight results counting toward position on the Split Leaderboard. There are three Splits (essentially mini-seasons) throughout the year, which in the upcoming cycle will run as follows:
- Autumn Split from September to November 2025;
- Winter Split from December 2025 to February 2026;
- Spring Split from March to May 2026;
- followed by an offseason, during which Titled Tuesday continues for prizes only, until the next cycle begins in September 2026.
There will be $30,000 in prizes for each split, distributed as follows:
- $15,500 available to all players,
- $5,500 for the best women,
- $3,500 each for the best senior (50+) and best junior (16 and under).
- and $2,000 for the best girls 20 and under.
The full leaderboard prizes and complete details about Titled Tuesday can be found at the Titled Tuesday events page.
Take Take Take, the innovative chess app co-founded by GM Magnus Carlsen, is now the Official Broadcast Partner for Titled Tuesday. The partnership marks a new era for the event, aiming to make it a must-watch show.
Starting on September 2, chess fans can tune in to watch Take Take Take’s live coverage every week. Viewers can expect a high-quality studio production led by sports journalist/presenter Kaja Snare, analysis from star commentators such as GM David Howell, and appearances by other well-known guests.
Carlsen commented: “I’ve always enjoyed Titled Tuesday — it’s fast, competitive and unpredictable. Now, with the new format, prize structure and live broadcasts, it’s going to be even more exciting to play in and to follow. I’m looking forward to being part of a competition that feels like a proper league, and to facing the best players week after week.”
Now, with the new format, prize structure and live broadcasts, it’s going to be even more exciting to play in and to follow.
—Magnus Carlsen
Titled Tuesday began in 2014 as a modest way for titled players to earn cash prizes on Chess.com, and has in the decade-plus since then grown into an irreplaceable fixture of the chess ecosystem. Now, as part of the qualification path into the world’s premier gaming event, Titled Tuesday is more important and relevant than ever before.
State of Chess Q&A With Danny On September 2
Do you have questions about the changes? On Chess.com’s next installment of State of Chess on September 2, following the Titled Tuesday kickoff, our Chief Chess Officer IM Danny Rensch will answer your questions.
He will also share more details about the upcoming EWC cycle and what we’ve been up to lately. You can also leave your questions in the comments below.
Tune in to our Twitch and YouTube channels on Tuesday, September 2 at 1.30 p.m. ET / 18.30 CEST / 11.00 p.m. IST to enjoy the show and participate with your questions.
