Announcing The 2023 Chess.com Awards Winners – Chess.com
The people have spoken! Over 16,000 voters chose the best games, moves, creators, and all things chess in 2023. Now, it's time for us to reveal the winners of the 2023 Chess.com Awards.
2023 was the greatest year for chess yet. We've witnessed the biggest wave of new players picking up the game, received mass media attention, and met our new world champion. But that's not all!
Chess was at one point the most popular free game on the iOS app store and topped three Amazon bestseller lists with IM Levy Rozman's book. Chess even spilled into the universe of other sports when tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz and world-renowned soccer coach Pepe Guardiola recorded videos sharing their love for the game.
Not everyone can give up the world champion title and still be crowned Player of the Year. But if anyone can do it, it's GM Magnus Carlsen! This is the third time in four years that Carlsen has won this award, and it's easy to understand why.
The world number-one dominated speed chess by winning the 2023 Champions Chess Tour after coming in first in three CCT events, two Grand Chess Tour events, and the 2023 Speed Chess Championship. More impressively, though, Carlsen has finally won the only title missing from his resume, the 2023 FIDE World Cup, not to mention the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships.
Indian chess fans have a lot of reasons to be proud of their country. Among them, IM Vaishali Rameshbabu is sure one of the highlights! Vaishali had a stellar year, indeed; she earned her third GM norm in the 2023 Qatar Masters, went undefeated to win the FIDE Women's Grand Swiss, and then crossed the 2500 rating mark after winning the IV El Llobregat Openthe last requirement she needed to attain the GM title.
While Vaishali is surely celebrating her qualification for the Women's Candidates in 2024 she sure has time to commemorate another accolade after winning the Woman Player of the Year award.
If the third time is a charm, Rozman is definitely looking charming. For the third consecutive year, the man behind YouTube's biggest chess channel has won the Creator of the Year award. Spearheading chess content creation, Rozman has also found the time to write a book, commentate on major events, and make it to Forbes' 30 under 30 list.
What does it take to win against the world's number-one player? Two sacrifices, a 95 accuracy score, and the name GM Wesley So. The American player was not intimidated by Carlsen and launched a devastating sacrificial attack seemingly out of nowhere. It didn't matter that the engine didn't really like it. It didn't matter that So was up against the best player in history. When the game was over, So was the only one standing, with his victory elected as the Game of the Year. You can check out the full game below, annotated by GM Rafael Leitao:
Another one for Carlsen, this time against none other than GM Hikaru Nakamura. In one of the most thrilling Speed Chess Championship finals ever, Carsen found the brilliant 40.Rxc5+!! in the last game of the event. The first of two rook sacrifices, this move began a mating combination that secured the 2023 SCC title for the world number-one.
In September 2023, the young prodigy GM Gukesh Dommaraju reached his peak rating of 2758, becoming the eighth-strongest player in the world. This was the first time in 37 years that a player surpassed GM Viswanathan Anand as the top-rated player in India. Just a few months later, Gukesh won the strongest classical tournament held on Indian soil to make it to the 2024 Candidates Tournament. Gukesh's impressive run gave him a chance to potentially become the youngest world champion ever in 2024 and made him the Rising Star of the Year in 2023!
By now, everyone knows the story of the Nigerian-born kid who became a chess prodigy. This year, FM Tani Adewumi kept pursuing his grandmaster title and also found the time to do so much more! The young ChessKid caught mass media attention yet again, this time by playing chess against tennis legend Roger Federer. All while winning a match against Harvard University students, helping with his Foundation, and playing tournaments!
Very few people will ever experience the feeling of becoming the world chess champion. But in 2023, GM Ding Liren got to know that feeling when he defeated GM Ian Nepomniachtchi to win the FIDE World Chess Championship. Getting there was not easy, with Ding having to win games to tie the score three times in the classical portion of the match before finally winning in the rapid tiebreaks. After 18 tense games, Ding finally won the match, and after the final handshake sat at the table with head in hands, overcome with emotion. And this was the Photo of the Year:
Maybe it's the way he understands the mind of chess fans like no other commentator, or perhaps it's just the way he screams, "The rooook!". Whatever it is, people love it, and that's why they chose Levy as the Commentator of the Year in 2023!
It was a busy year at the GothamChess household. This year, the renowned Youtuber and commentator also became a renowned Chessable course author, topping the charts with his GothamChess 1.e4 Repertoire (Short & Sweet version here, in case you want to take a look at the free sample) and winning the Chessable Course of the Year award.
At this point, it's getting harder and harder to come up with new ways to praise Rozman. 2023 was also the year when Levy published his first book, How To Win At Chess. The book was a massive success among learners and voters, who elected his work the Book of the Year.
We thank you for once again taking the time to celebrate chess and vote for the 2023 Chess.com Awards. We're excited to be a part of this journey with you, and we can't wait to enjoy another great year of chess in 2024! Happy New Year!
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Announcing The 2023 Chess.com Awards Winners - Chess.com
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- JEFF POWELL: Franz Beckenbauer was truly great as a player and a manager... and I had the privilege of watchin - Daily Mail - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
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- Chess: Hastings plans to revive its vintage years - Financial Times - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Columbus area Kindergartner proves to be one of the best chess players in the U.S. - ABC6OnYourSide.com - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Chess champion's stark response after being stripped of title for defecating in bathub - The Mirror - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Tuesday Afternoon Chess Club - Honolulu Star-Advertiser - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Things to do in Loveland on Monday: Community Dance, chess games, mahjong - Loveland Reporter-Herald - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Columbus area Kindergartner proves to be one of the best chess players in the U.S. - WTOV Steubenville - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Open calls for 2024 and 2025 bids' chess competitions - IBSA International Blind Sports Federation - International Blind Sports Federation - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- 8-Year-Old Roman Shogdzhiev Amazes Chess World By Beating 5 Grandmasters - Chess.com - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Exploring Wisconsin's chess scene, Examining why counties are collecting birth expenses from unwed fathers - Wisconsin Public Radio - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Make your big move at the Bon Soo chess tournament - SooToday - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Project Macon: Checkmate to crime, chess initiative cultivates critical thinking in youth - wgxa.tv - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Study of the Month: To be human is? - ChessBase - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- University of Missouri Wins 2024 Pan-American Intercollegiate Championship for First Time in School History - uschess.org - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- PROGRESS WITH CHESS Class - Northeast Ohio Parent - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Two Russian players sanctioned at World Chess Championship for shameful collusion video - Yahoo News - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Abhijeet Gupta wins the Caplin Masters in Hastings - ChessBase - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- A narrowly missed record: Viktor Kortschnoi against the World Champions - ChessBase - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Who is Andrew Tate's dad Emory? Meet the American chess international master and father of controversial socia - Daily Mail - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Chinese chess player sues to reclaim the title he lost for defecating in a hotel bathtub - Index-Journal - January 8th, 2024 [January 8th, 2024]
- Chinese chess player sues to reclaim the title he lost for defecating in a hotel bathtub - WPLG Local 10 - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Chess pro risks DQ after refusing to shake Russian opponents hand - Dexerto - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Leading chess site bans Russian Grandmaster over visits to occupied Ukraine - . - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- White to move and mate in two #453 -- Better Chess for Average Players - Daily Kos - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Winter Wrap-Up: Sitges, SPICE and Everything Nice - uschess.org - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- FIDE announces the first-ever World Cup for youngsters - FIDE - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- TX guv credited for winning political 'chess match' in busing policy - American Family News - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Le Wins Bullet Brawl Ahead of Nakamura, Naroditsky - Chess.com - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Exclusive: Carlsen Confirms He Will Formally Decline Candidates Invitation - Chess.com - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Chinese chess player sues to reclaim the title he lost for defecating in a hotel bathtub - ABC News - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
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- The Biggest Chess Prizewinners In 2023 - Chess.com - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Nakamura Begins 2024 With Another Win, Leads Titled Cup - Chess.com - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- New Year, New Features, New Superstars - Chess.com - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
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- Carlsen Wins 7th World Blitz Chess Title - Chess.com - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- The Underworld of the Champions Chess Tour Finals 2023. Sneak Peek Behind the Scene - Chess.com - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- The Winning Academy 28: How to Defend Against a Minority Attack? - ChessBase - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Bortnyk Bolts To 3rd Bullet Brawl Title - Chess.com - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Coming soon: The Tata Steel Tournament 2024 in Wijk aan Zee - ChessBase - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Chinese chess player sues to reclaim the title he lost for defecating in a hotel bathtub - Lufkin Daily News - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Tuan Minh Le Wins Bullet Brawl Chess Tournament Amid Top Grandmasters - BNN Breaking - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Chess has another sex toy cheating scandal, and this one has bathtub poop - SB Nation - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Chinese chess player sues to reclaim the title he lost for defecating in a hotel bathtub - WDRB - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Chess on New Year's Eve at the 97th Congress in Hastings - ChessBase - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- The participants of the Candidates - ChessBase - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Bully Ray Assesses 'Internal Chess Match' With WWE Main Event Stars - Wrestling Inc. - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- Who is Anthony? The Traitors season 2 contestant and chess coach - Radio Times - January 6th, 2024 [January 6th, 2024]
- VP of Ukrainian Chess Federation killed in action - Yahoo News - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- The Week in Chess 1516 - The Week in Chess - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- Wu, Mou Stick Podium Finishes at 2023 World Youth Championship - uschess.org - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- 1400 Rated Chess Addict Salah Dreams Of Carlsen Meeting - Chess.com - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
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- Wisconsin teen nationally recognized for chess skills - Spectrum News 1 - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- The Race To Toronto: Who Will Qualify For The Candidates ... - Chess.com - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
- IA Andre Harding (1983-2023) | US Chess.org - uschess.org - November 28th, 2023 [November 28th, 2023]
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