Online chess platform Chess.com has announced the sixth edition of its PogChamps chess tournament.
Built-in collaboration with streamers from around the world, the event features several gaming content creators including Ludwig Ahgren, Juan ‘Hungrybox’ DeBiedma and pro Fortnite player Kyle ‘Mongraal’ Jackson.
The event, beginning on April 29th, 2025, will feature 12 content creators and professional sports athletes competing for a share of a $100,000 (~£77,243) prize pool across four days of competition.
Ahead of the event, participants will have an opportunity to join coaching sessions to prepare for matches.
Operated by Chess.com, the PogChamps series is one of the platform’s most successful tournament series attracting several names from the esports and gaming industries. Alongside the competing streamers, this year’s edition will include Crystal Palace footballer Eberechi Eze and American gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik.
PogChamps 6 will aim to build on the impressive viewership recorded during the previous tournament. According to Chess Watch, PogChamps 5 recorded a peak of 182,042 across its 51-hour airtime.
Interest in chess has skyrocketed with several esports organisations from across the world signing players ahead of the strategy game’s debut at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Notable signings include Magnus Carlsen joining Team Liquid and grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura representing Team Falcons.
PogChamps 6 Format and Prize Breakdown
PogChamps 6 will feature a Group Stage with players earning three points for a win, two points for winning a tie-breaker and one point for a loss.
The top three from each group will secure a place in the Championship Bracket while the bottom three will continue in the Consolation Bracket. Both brackets will use a single-elimination format.
Below is the full breakdown of the $100,000 prize pool:
- 1st – $20,000 (~£15,442)
- 2nd – $14,000 (~£10,809)
- 3rd – $8,000 (~£6,176)
- 4th/5th -$6,000 (~4,632)
The Consolation Bracket will have its own portion of the prize pool which is split as follows:
- 1st – $10,000 (~£7,719)
- 2nd – $8,000 (~£6,176)
- 3rd – $6,000 (~4,632)
- 4th/5th – $4,000 (~£3,087)
