Chess.com Awards: Everything You Need To Know – Chess.com
The Chess.com Awards is our yearly celebration of the best of the chess world. At the end of every year, we invite the chess community to vote on the best games, moves, creators, and everything else involving the game we love. The awards are a perfect opportunity for the community to remember, discuss, and commemorate the greatest things about the royal game that happened throughout the year.
Here's everything you need to know about each category of the Chess.com Awards, our nomination criteria, and more:
Every year, we ask the community to vote on their favorite content creators, players, moves, and more. Nominees will be announced in mid-December after major events in early December are concluded. Voting will be open until January 1st.
Any achievements taking placed after voting is opened may be considered in the following year's Chess.com Awards.
The Player of the Year category celebrates the player who defined chess that year. The nominations in this category consider players' year-round performance instead of a single-event victory and are open to all players.
The Woman Player of the Year category awards the top woman player with the most significant chess accomplishments of the year. The nominations in this category consider players' year-round performance instead of a single-event victory.
The chess world is consuming more content than ever before. Whether it's a YouTube video, a legendary X post, a great new book, or any other type of content, there's always a creator putting out amazing chess pieces to their adoring audiences. This category highlights everyone in the content creation space. We consider creators' impact, innovation, and reach to come up with nominations.
The Game of the Year category celebrates the most fantastic game of the year. From tactical slugfests to positional masterpieces, any game played during the Awards consideration period can be nominated. This category highlights the complete effort of a game, from the very beginning to the last move.
Sometimes, a move is so stunning that you can enjoy just staring at it in amazement for several minutes. The Move of the Year category highlights these brilliant moves that come out of nowhere and swipe you off your feet. Unlike the Game of the Year category, the Move of the Year award doesn't consider what happened in the rest of the game but rather celebrates a single moment when one of the players busts out a brilliant move.
The Rising Star category celebrates the young chess players who quickly rose through the chess ranks during the year. Players nominated for the Rising Star award must be 18 or younger. Players who have already won this category in previous years are not eligible to be nominated again.
While watching your favorite players battling over the board is great, the experience can be even better when a fantastic commentator goes through the game with you. The Commentator of the Year category celebrates those who sit in front of the camera to bridge the gap between the audience and the players in an entertaining way.
There is no shortage of top-tier events throughout the year, but the Event of the Year award celebrates those events that stand on a level of their own. This category awards the event that got the most attention from chess fans around the world during the year. The winner is determined by the highest viewership.
Chess improvers out there should pay attention to the Book of the Year award. This category celebrates the best chess books released in the year.
Chess education has expanded way beyond printed books, and students now have more resources than ever to learn and expand their chess knowledge. This category awards the best course from one of the best learning resources out there: Chessable. Courses are nominated by Chessable's staff, with the community voting for their favorite to receive the award. Nominated courses must have been released between January and December of the year of voting.
Are you excited about this year's Chess.com Awards? Let us know in the comment section below.
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Chess.com Awards: Everything You Need To Know - Chess.com
- Spreading joy in the world of chess: Anish Giri turns 31 years old today - Chess News | ChessBase - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Drama! FIDE slams Vladimir Kramnik's defamation lawsuit against David Navara: 'Brings a lot of harm to ch - Times of India - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- 'Rare gem in the chess world': Praggnanandhaa gets big welcome from Magnus Carlsen as he joins Team Liquid - Firstpost - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- FIDE says way Vladimir Kramnik presents his points (on cheating in chess) brings a lot of harm to the community - The Indian Express - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Praggnanandhaa interview: I dont think Im trying to prove anything to anyone. I just like playing chess - The Indian Express - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Bullet Brawl June 28, 2025: Nakamura Surges To 42nd Bullet Brawl Title Ahead Of Terry, Hansen - Chess.com - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- World Chess Championship wins Singapore's Sports Event of the Year - Chess News | ChessBase - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- "Train the Mind. The Body Will Follow" - Chess and Basketballl - Chess News | ChessBase - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- We cant keep suing each other: Aronian urges Kramnik to drop feuds, pens emotional plea in open letter to his chess parent - The Indian Express - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Chess prodigies: The worlds youngest chess phenoms of 2025 - Times of India - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- D Gukesh's withdrawal from Las Vegas expected, says Freestyle Chess CEO: Performances have not been that good' - Firstpost - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Ill take LEGAL ACTION against EVERY Slanderer: Kramnik escalates chess feud after Aronians emotional appeal - The Indian Express - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Firepower from the flanks: Why 1.f4, the Birds Opening, deserves your attention - The Indian Express - June 29th, 2025 [June 29th, 2025]
- Big blow to Indian chess as Freestyle Chess Tour India event cancelled due to lack of sponsors: 'India will not happen' - Firstpost - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Chess Lover Introduces Game to Malawis Prisons, Schools and Street Kids - The New York Times - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Four tiebreaks, three titles: Story of Praggnanandhaas barnstorming 2025 - The Indian Express - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Chess: Carlsen finally achieves 2900 rating as Niemann aims to be Las Vegas party pooper - The Guardian - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- D Gukesh really unhappy due to Norway Chess 2025 campaign: One thing about Magnus Carlsen is that - Hindustan Times - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Updated: Tickets Now on Sale for Broadway's Chess, Starring Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele and Nicholas Christopher, at the Imperial Theatre - Broadway... - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Brooklyn teacher who built nationally renowned chess team retires after 50 years - CBS News - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Who is Aarit Kapil, 9-year-old from Delhi, who almost beat Magnus Carlsen - Times of India - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- 9-Year-Old Indian Prodigy Shocks Magnus Carlsen, Makes National Headlines - Chess.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Praggnanandhaa Hits Back To Win UzChess Cup After Losing "Game Of The Year" - Chess.com - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Svitlana's Smart Moves - How to play against the King's Gambit! - Chess News | ChessBase - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- 'Dear Vladimir Kramnik, forgive me ...': Levon Aronian writes after chess grandmaster files defamation la - Times of India - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- DIYer shares photo after repurposing old chess set into useful household item: 'What a creative idea' - The Cool Down - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Chess players of all ages participate in tournament - Sentinel and Enterprise - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- The Silent Teacher: Why Chess Is the Ultimate Mental Gym for Young Minded - Vocal - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Brooklyn teacher Eliot Weiss retires after 50 years, dozens of chess team wins - CBS News - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- D Gukesh has not been that good at any Grand Slam: Freestyle Chess CEO brutally claims Las Vegas absence expected - Hindustan Times - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- The Lyric Where Yes Took a Chess Metaphor to Prog Rock History - American Songwriter - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- R Praggnanandhaa thanks Vishy Anand after overtaking D Gukesh: This one felt special - India Today - June 28th, 2025 [June 28th, 2025]
- Chess | Magnus Carlsen lost to 9-year-old Indian? All you need to know - Times of India - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Chess Revival Announces Broadway Dates and Theatre - Broadway Direct - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- School children play chess on the roof of London's O2 Arena - Chess News | ChessBase - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Chess Revival Starring Tveit, Michele, & Christopher Heres What We Know - Broadway Direct - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- CHESS Revival Will Play the Imperial Theatre; Tickets On Sale This Month - broadwayworld.com - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Meet Aarit Kapil, 9-year-old from Delhis Mayur Vihar, who nearly beat Magnus Carlsen in an online blitz game - The Indian Express - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- The Art of the Trade Deal: Playing Chess, Not Checkers: News Article - Independent Institute - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Microsoft Is 'Playing Chess, And Others Are Playing Checkers:' Dan Ives Says MSFT Could Be A $5 Trillion Company In 18 Months - Benzinga - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Meet Aarit Kapil, The 9-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Who Nearly Defeated Magnus Carlsen - News18 - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Lea Michele Is Returning to the Theatre She Made Her Broadway Debut in For CHESS - broadwayworld.com - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Delhi's 9-year-old chess prodigy Aarit Kapil comes close to beating Magnus Carlsen - India Today - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- D Gukesh opens up on Magnus Carlsen banging the table after Norway Chess defeat: "My mind was just trying to process..." - SportsTak - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Chess, golf, video gaming: The sports helping executives stay at the top of their game - CNA Luxury - June 26th, 2025 [June 26th, 2025]
- Historic! R Praggnanandhaa surpasses world champion D Gukesh in world chess rankings; all you need to kno - Times of India - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Chess master Magnus Carlsen mourns Tyrese Haliburtons game 7 injury: Worst way to start the day when I - Times of India - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Niemann Celebrates Birthday With Freestyle Ticket To Las Vegas - Chess.com - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- UzChess Cup: Exciting round leaves Abdusattorov as sole leader - Chess News | ChessBase - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Whats Trending: The Harlem Globetrotters of Chess - Chapelboro.com - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Magnus Carlsen finally hits 2900 rating: 'My wife is way more attracted to me now' - Firstpost - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Magnus Carlsen, world chess No. 1, signs St Pauli contract extension for 2025-26 Bundesliga season - The Athletic - The New York Times - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Carlsen will continue to play for FC St. Pauli in the Chess-Bundesliga 202526 - FC St. Pauli - June 24th, 2025 [June 24th, 2025]
- Star-studded WR Chess repeat World Blitz title amid controversy in London - The Guardian - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Chess: 'That's what he was trying to go for...' Fabiano Caruana explains why Magnus Carlsen lost his cool - Times of India - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- The Taliban has banned a lot of things ... but chess? - NPR - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Chess Program Names Presidents Cup-Winning Player as New Coach - The University of Texas at Dallas - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- My wife is way more attracted to me now: Magnus Carlsen after breaking 2900 rating threshold in freestyle chess - The Indian Express - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- An Extraordinary Game With Things Which Came To Mind. - Chess.com - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- The Magnus And Hans Show Continues In Titled Tuesday - Chess.com - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Gata Kamsky Transfers To France After 36 Years Representing The U.S. - Chess.com - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- WR Chess Defends World Team Blitz Title After Winning Appeal - Chess.com - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- ChatGPT Gets 'Absolutely Wrecked' in Chess Match With 1978 Atari - PCMag - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- WR Chess clinch their second FIDE World Team Blitz Championship title International Chess Federation - FIDE - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- With giant boards and more! This is what the Chess Festival will be like in the Zcalo of the CDMX - Ciudad de Mxico Secreta - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Learn About Chess' Complicated Journey Back to Broadway in New Streaming Documentary - Playbill - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Strong Lineup at the UzChess Cup in Tashkent - Chess News | ChessBase - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Statistical scientist Jeffrey Rosenthal wades into the chess scandal thats making headlines - University of Toronto - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Reds' outfielder Will Benson mastering chess and baseball - WLWT - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker - Shephard Media - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- Fabiano Caruana: Indian youngsters very strong, but I dont find them scary yet, whatsoever - The Indian Express - June 20th, 2025 [June 20th, 2025]
- ChatGPT Just Got 'Absolutely Wrecked' at Chess, Losing to a 1970s-Era Atari 2600 - CNET - June 14th, 2025 [June 14th, 2025]
- Slamming The Table: A History Of Grandmaster Collapses - Chess.com - June 14th, 2025 [June 14th, 2025]
- Arjun, Pranav & "New Pang Bo" Power MGD1 To World Rapid Teams Title - Chess.com - June 14th, 2025 [June 14th, 2025]
- FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championship: Arjun Erigaisi and Team MGD1 win historic Rapid title - Sportstar - June 14th, 2025 [June 14th, 2025]
- Then and Now: Leon Bibb looks at Cleveland's chess legacy and the teen champion carrying it forward - WKYC - June 14th, 2025 [June 14th, 2025]
- How will LSU baseball use Casan Evans? Freshman pitcher a key chess piece for Tigers in Omaha. - NOLA.com - June 14th, 2025 [June 14th, 2025]
- FIDE WRBTC 2025: Hexamind level with MGD1 at the top after three key wins International Chess Federation - FIDE - June 14th, 2025 [June 14th, 2025]
- Exclusive: Bangladeshi chess player deported from India; 80-year-old legend Rani Hamid 'disturbed' by eve - Times of India - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]
- FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships 2025: All you need to know about the event - Firstpost - June 12th, 2025 [June 12th, 2025]