Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to explore what competitive chess can learn from eSport. The chapter begins with an examination of eSport based on a highly informative article on eSport in Sports Illustrated. Following that examination are a review of relevant scholarly articles on eSport and its relationship to chess and a brief introduction to standard chess. After that examination is a review of the PRO Chess League, which is an example of how eSport can influence competitive chess. The chapter ends with a commentary on future prospects of what competitive chess can learn from eSport. The chapter presents an optimistic perspective of competitive chess influenced by eSport, with certain cautions. However, the future of competitive chess influenced by eSport will depend on the capacity to obtain sponsors and on the capacity of fans to comprehend and appreciate the fast-paced moves in the games.
TopBackground
To investigate the relationship of eSport to chess, one needs to understand what an eSport is and what are its distinctive features. Following are subsections that shed light on that relationship. The subsection entitled “Features of Esport” provides a review of a noteworthy article in Sports Illustrated that recognized esport as a sport and discussed some distinguishing feature and facts surrounding esports. The next subsection entitled “Scholarly Perspectives on ESport and Chess” reviews relevant scholarly articles on eSport and how their contents relate to chess. The subsection entitled “Standard Chess” presents some of the basic features of standard chess.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Elo Rating: The Elo Rating is the international metric used to measure the level of chess competency of a chess player. Elo ratings range from a value of 0 that indicates the complete absence of chess skill to values in excess of 2800 that indicate levels of chess skill of super grandmasters, i.e., elite chess players.
Twitch-TV: Twitch-TV is the premiere live streaming platform for individuals who play video games. Users of Twitch-TV can watch video games such as League of Legends being played by expert teams. Twitch-TV has also been used by chess enthusiasts to watch chess games being played by amateur players.
eSport: ESport is competitive video gaming. It comes in many forms and usually involves fast-paced game playing with the use of computer technology.
PogChamps: PogChamps is an online chess tournament for amateur chess players. PogChamps is sponsored by chess.com and has involved 16 amateur players playing chess online. The games are often viewed by over 100,000 people via Twitch-tv, a popular streaming platform for gamers. Rainn Wilson, a leading actor in the TV series, The Office, was a participating player in PogChamps 3.
Chess: Chess is a complex board game played by over 500 million people worldwide. It is played on a board with 64 squares and involves 16 chess pieces, eight chess pieces for each of two players. To play well requires knowledge and judicious usage of chess openings, tactics, and strategies.
PRO Chess League: The PRO Chess League is a prominent example of how competitive chess is influenced by eSport. This league involved teams of excellent players from countries around the world. The teams would play other teams online and the games would be fast-paced.
League of Legends: League of Legends is a popular video game used in eSport. In fact, it is arguably the most famous video game. Players of this game take on the roles of fantasy-based champion figures who attempt to take control of the opponent’s base. It is a team-based strategy game involving two teams with five champions in each team.