You’ve seen them crawling, and now it’s time to see them running! The strongest PogChamps participants in history are gathering to take on new challengers in SuperPogChamps from December 2 to 5. Former chess novices from past PogChamps and strong chess-loving celebrities are ready to showcase their talent at the most high-level PogChamps yet.
The event will feature a $50,000 prize fund and some of the most successful creators and celebrities in the world. The format remains the same as PogChamps 6, with all the drama condensed into an action-packed, four-day competition.
The event will be broadcast live on our Twitch and YouTube channels, hosted by master players and other special guests. To celebrate the event, Chess.com will donate $10,000 to LIDÈ Haiti to promote learning, health, and well-being for Haitian girls in underserved communities through art-centered educational programs. We invite you to join us in supporting LIDÈ’s cause:
LIDÈ’s co-founder, Rainn Wilson, best known for his role as Dwight Schrute in The Office, is no stranger to chess and has even reached the final of PogChamps 3. He spoke about his relationship with chess and his gratitude toward the community:
I’ve been an avid chess player since Junior High. One thing I know about chess players is that they have big hearts as well as big brains. We’ve been able to introduce chess to some of the most deserving adolescent women in remote Haiti who LOVE to learn and are so grateful to add chess to their curriculum. They, as we, are forever in debt to both Chess.com and the generous chess enthusiasts who love education and want to spread it around the globe with their donations to LideHaiti.org.
— Rainn Wilson
Among the confirmed players is PogChamps 3 winner and one of the most popular creators in France, Sardoche. The champ, who took the crown when he had a 1400 rating on Chess.com, has since peaked at an impressive 2155. The Frenchman keeps going strong on Chess.com and playing almost every day—and he sure is ready to take on this new challenge.
Another confirmed player is, perhaps, the most impressive chess improver in the field. Just two years ago, no one would have believed that Tyler1, then rated 200, could be in an event like SuperPogChamps. But after grinding chess nonstop, Tyler1 came close to crossing the 2000 rating barrier. Despite not winning PogChamps 5, Tyler was confident then, and he’s surely even more confident now that he boasts a four-digit rating.
“My goal this PogChamps is to absolutely crush every single person playing,” said Tyler. “I’m not talking about just winning. I want them to lose the will to play chess ever again.” And while we certainly don’t want people to feel discouraged to play chess, we appreciate Tyler’s passion.
My goal this PogChamps is to absolutely crush every single person playing. I’m not talking about just winning. I want them to lose the will to play chess ever again.
— Tyler1
Joining the fray is fighting game specialist SonicFox. Initially invited to play in PogChamps 5, we quickly realized that SonicFox was too strong to participate. Instead, we gave them their own bot and invited them to commentate on PogChamps 5. But now, it’s their time to join SuperPogChamps and show their best moves to K.O. their opponents!
“I think it’s an exciting opportunity,” said SonicFox about their opportunity to play in this edition of PogChamps. “I’m not the greatest but I do wanna show off some of the things I’ve learned over the last four years.”
Joining the Pog arena for the first time is Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor Masi Oka, best known for his role as Hiro Nakamura in the hit series Heroes. A chess aficionado, Masi has been playing since his youth and peaked at a 1975 rating on Chess.com. In 2021, he even had a coaching session with the other Nakamura, GM Hikaru. Fans will be on the edge of their seats to see if Masi can channel his inner Nakamura to be the hero of the first SuperPogChampion and take the crown home. “It’s an honor, but I’m quite nervous. Been a while since I’ve played chess in a tournament, and especially with so many people watching,” said the actor. “My goal is not to blunder. I’m just hoping to get more Brilliants and Greats than Misses and Blunders.”
I’m just hoping to get more Brilliants and Greats than Misses and Blunders.
— Masi Oka
Fans will also enjoy the chess and the presence of a PogChamps old-timer, who’s actually playing in the event for the very first time, Andrea Botez. One of the world’s most popular chess creators, she has coached numerous PogChamps players in the past. Now, she will finally put her chess to the test to see how she fares in a Pog competition.
Other confirmed players include Cincinnati Reds outfielder Will Benson; basketball executive Daryl Morey; Indian comedian Samay Raina; the world’s top Smash competitor Sparg0; singer-songwriter and Botez Chess Camp participant Linda Diaz; PogChamps 1 champion Voyboy; and PogChamps 5 Consolation Bracket winner Wirtual.
Are you excited for SuperPogChamps? Who do you think will win the strongest PogChamps yet? Let us know in the comments below!
