Chess.com has announced a new partnership with Magnus Carlsen’s Oslo-based chess platform Take Take Take for the weekly online blitz tournament Titled Tuesday serving as a direct qualification path to 2026 Esports World Cup (EWC).
The move aims to elevate competitive chess within the wider esports ecosystem, bringing stronger narratives and increased production value.
The new format will feature larger prize pools, a broadcast studio, and live coverage by Grandmaster David Howell and sports presenter Kaja Snare to cater to both hardcore and casual fans.
In addition to this, the goal is to transform the competition into the “Premier League of Chess”, according to Take Take Take’s co-founder, Magnus Carlsen.
Magnus Carlsen, co-founder of Take Take Take, commented: “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.”
The Chess Grandmaster had recently won the EWC 2025 Chess Championship while representing Team Liquid, taking down Team Falcons’ Alireza Firouzja in the Grand Final.
As the Chess Ambassador at this year’s EWC, Carlsen has been heavily contributing to growing the game’s popularity, with tournaments being streamed regularly and attracting hundreds of thousands of peak viewers.
A three-split format for Titled Tuesday
The revamped competition, kicking off on September 2nd, will feature three splits of 13 weeks each, running through May. Each split will crown its own champion, while building into a seasonal narrative that mirrors the structure of other top-tier esports leagues.
The first split will conclude in November, followed by the second in February, and the final in late spring.
The tournament has been confirmed to serve as a direct qualifier for the Esports World Cup for 2026, aligning with the recent changes that combined Titled Tuesday, Speed Chess Championship (SCC), and the Chess.com Global Championship (CGC) into one circuit.
Founded in 2023, Take Take Take is an app designed to make chess more accessible for players of all skill levels.
With a dedicated team of 13 members, the company has recently secured a $5.5m (~£4.08m) seed funding round from Skyfall Ventures, SNÖ Ventures, Coatue Management, among others.
The platform offers engaging chess content and real-time match insights, with the goal of turning chess into a dynamic spectator sport.
