Editing Chess (section)

===1990–present: Rise of computers and online chess===

====Technology====
The [[Internet]] enabled [[online chess]] as a new medium of playing, with [[chess servers]] allowing users to play other people from different parts of the world in real time. The first such server, known as [[Internet Chess Server]] (ICS), was developed at the University of Utah in 1992. ICS formed the basis for the first commercial chess server, the [[Internet Chess Club]], which was launched in 1995, and for other early chess servers such as [[Free Internet Chess Server]] (FICS). Since then, many other platforms have appeared, and online chess began to rival over-the-board chess in popularity.<ref>{{cite web|last1=McClain|first1=Dylan Loeb|date=14 March 2010|title=Wherever You Are, a Game Is Just a Point and Click Away|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/crosswords/chess/14chess.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220101/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/crosswords/chess/14chess.html |archive-date=2022-01-01 |url-access=limited|access-date=10 January 2021|website=The New York Times}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Internet helps to speed up growth of chess around the world | website=Financial Times | url=https://www.ft.com/content/d61a112a-524a-11e5-b029-b9d50a74fd14 | date=October 7, 2015 | last1=Thomson | first1=Adam | access-date=April 22, 2021 | archive-date=20 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420013702/https://www.ft.com/content/d61a112a-524a-11e5-b029-b9d50a74fd14 | url-status=live }}</ref> During the 2020 [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the isolation ensuing from [[quarantine]]s imposed in many places around the world, combined with the success of the popular [[Netflix]] show ''[[The Queen's Gambit (miniseries)|The Queen's Gambit]]'' and other factors such as the popularity of online tournaments (notably [[PogChamps]]) and chess [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] streamers, resulted in a surge of popularity not only for online chess, but for the game of chess in general; this phenomenon has been referred to in the media as the 2020 online chess boom.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-29|title='It's electrifying': chess world hails Queen's Gambit-fuelled boom|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/nov/29/chess-world-hails-queens-gambit-fuelled-boom|access-date=2021-04-19|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=10 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310133353/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/nov/29/chess-world-hails-queens-gambit-fuelled-boom|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Dottle|first=Rachael|title=The Chess Boom Goes Digital After 'The Queen's Gambit'|language=en|work=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-chess-boom/|access-date=2021-04-19|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417174425/https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2020-chess-boom/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Computer chess]] has also seen major advances. By the 1990s, chess engines could consistently defeat most amateurs, and in 1997 [[Deep Blue (chess computer)|Deep Blue]] defeated World Champion Garry Kasparov in [[Deep Blue versus Garry Kasparov|a six-game match]], starting an era of computer dominance at the highest level of chess. In the 2010s, engines significantly stronger than even the best human players became accessible for free on a number of [[Personal computer|PC]] and [[Mobile phone|mobile]] platforms, and free engine analysis became a commonplace feature on internet chess servers. An adverse effect of the easy availability of engine analysis on hand-held devices and personal computers has been the rise of [[Chess cheating|computer cheating]], which has grown to be a major concern in both over-the-board and online chess.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Team (CHESScom)|first=Chess com|title=About Online Chess Cheating|url=https://www.chess.com/article/view/online-chess-cheating|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Chess.com|date=15 August 2020 |language=en-US|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420131449/https://www.chess.com/article/view/online-chess-cheating|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, [[AlphaZero]] – a [[Artificial neural network|neural network]] also capable of playing [[shogi]] and [[Go (game)|Go]] – was introduced. Since then, many chess engines based on neural network evaluation have been written, the best of which have surpassed the traditional "[[Brute-force search|brute-force]]" engines. AlphaZero also introduced many novel ideas and ways of playing the game, which affected the style of play at the top level.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Techmate: How AI rewrote the rules of chess|publisher=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/ea707a24-f6b7-11e7-8715-e94187b3017e|url-status=live|access-date=2021-05-13|date=12 January 2018|last1=Waters|first1=Richard|archive-date=17 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317081158/https://www.ft.com/content/ea707a24-f6b7-11e7-8715-e94187b3017e}}</ref>

As [[endgame tablebases]] developed, they began to provide [[perfect play]] in endgame positions in which the [[Game theory|game-theoretical]] outcome was previously unknown, such as positions with king, queen and pawn against king and queen. In 1991, Lewis Stiller published a tablebase for select six-piece endgames,<ref>{{cite journal|author=L. B. Stiller|year=1991|title=Some Results from a Massively Parallel Retrograde Analysis|journal=ICCA Journal|volume=14 |issue=3 |pages=129–134 |doi=10.3233/ICG-1991-14304}}</ref><ref>See also: {{cite journal|title=Exploiting symmetry on parallel architectures|author=L. B. Stiller|journal=Icga Journal |year=1995|volume=18 |issue=2 |pages=102–113|doi=10.3233/icg-1995-18206}}</ref> and by 2005, following the publication of [[Eugene Nalimov|Nalimov]] tablebases, all six-piece endgame positions were solved. In 2012, Lomonosov tablebases were published which solved all seven-piece endgame positions.<ref>{{cite web|author=Convekta Ltd.|title=Lomonosov Endgame Tablebases|url=http://chessok.com/?page_id=27966|access-date=20 April 2021|archive-date=1 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501134618/http://chessok.com/?page_id=27966|url-status=live}}</ref> Use of tablebases enhances the performance of chess engines by providing definitive results in some branches of analysis.

Technological progress made in the 1990s and the 21st century has influenced the way that chess is studied at all levels, as well as the state of chess as a [[spectator sport]].

Previously, preparation at the professional level required an extensive chess library and several subscriptions to publications such as ''[[Chess Informant]]'' to keep up with opening developments and study opponents' games. Today, preparation at the professional level involves the use of databases containing millions of games, and engines to analyze different opening variations and prepare novelties.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Campitelli|first=Guillermo|title=How computers changed chess|url=http://theconversation.com/how-computers-changed-chess-20772|access-date=2021-04-24|website=The Conversation|date=29 November 2013 |language=en|archive-date=25 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425081211/https://theconversation.com/how-computers-changed-chess-20772|url-status=live}}</ref> A number of online learning resources are also available for players of all levels, such as online courses, tactics trainers, and video lessons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Big Techday 9 - TNG Technology Consulting - Modern Chess Preparation – The Role of Computers in professional Chess|url=http://media.techcast.cloud/bigtechday9/barcelona-1615/?q=barcelona-1615|access-date=2021-04-27|website=media.techcast.cloud|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427010714/http://media.techcast.cloud/bigtechday9/barcelona-1615/?q=barcelona-1615|url-status=live}}</ref>

Since the late 1990s, it has been possible to follow major international chess events online, the players' moves being relayed in real time. Sensory boards have been developed to enable automatic transmission of moves. Chess players will frequently run engines while watching these games, allowing them to quickly identify mistakes by the players and spot tactical opportunities. While in the past the moves have been relayed live, today chess organizers will often impose a half-hour delay as an anti-cheating measure. In the mid-to-late 2010s – and especially following the 2020 online boom – it became commonplace for [[Super Grandmaster|supergrandmasters]], such as [[Hikaru Nakamura]] and [[Magnus Carlsen]], to [[livestream]] chess content on platforms such as [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brookwell|first=Ilya|title=Chess is taking over the online video game world – and both are changing from this unlikely pairing|url=http://theconversation.com/chess-is-taking-over-the-online-video-game-world-and-both-are-changing-from-this-unlikely-pairing-143790|access-date=2021-04-26|website=The Conversation|date=2 September 2020 |language=en|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427004246/https://theconversation.com/chess-is-taking-over-the-online-video-game-world-and-both-are-changing-from-this-unlikely-pairing-143790|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-23|title=The Big Story|url=https://www.protocol.com/newsletters/gaming/chess-twitch-streaming?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1?rebelltitem=1|access-date=2021-04-20|website=Protocol — The people, power and politics of tech|language=en|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420132231/https://www.protocol.com/newsletters/gaming/chess-twitch-streaming?rebelltitem=1#rebelltitem1?rebelltitem=1|url-status=live}}</ref> Also following the boom, online chess started being viewed as an [[esport]], with esport teams signing chess players for the first time in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Statt|first=Nick|date=2020-08-27|title=Esports giant TSM signs Hikaru Nakamura, its first pro chess player|url=https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/27/21404322/hikaru-nakamura-chess-tsm-esports-sign-contract-player-twitch|access-date=2021-04-20|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420130729/https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/27/21404322/hikaru-nakamura-chess-tsm-esports-sign-contract-player-twitch|url-status=live}}</ref> The number of esport teams signing chess players rose considerably in 2025, after chess was added to [[Saudi Arabia]]'s [[Esports World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Magnus Carlsen trolls FIDE in Team Liquid announcement video: 'Do I have to change?' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/chess/magnus-carlsen-trolls-fide-in-team-liquid-announcement-video-do-i-have-to-change-9837163/ |access-date=15 February 2025 |work=The Indian Express |date=15 February 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Svensen |first1=Tarjei J. |title=Ding Liren Signs With Chinese Esports Team, Reveals Return To Chess |url=https://www.chess.com/news/view/ding-liren-returns-to-chess-signs-for-lgd-gaming-less-busy-year |access-date=13 February 2025 |work=Chess.com |date=13 February 2025}}</ref>

====Growth====
Organized chess even for young children has become common. FIDE holds world championships for age levels down to 8 years old. The largest tournaments, in number of players, are those held for children.<ref>{{citation | title=SuperNationals VI is the Largest Rated Tourney Ever | date=May 13, 2017 | url=https://new.uschess.org/news/supernationals-vi-largest-rated-tourney-ever/ | website=Chess Life Online | access-date=May 8, 2018 | archive-date=29 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429023117/https://new.uschess.org/news/supernationals-vi-largest-rated-tourney-ever | url-status=live }}</ref>

The number of [[Grandmaster (chess)|grandmasters]] and other chess professionals has also grown in the modern era. Kenneth Regan and Guy Haworth conducted research involving comparison of move choices by players of different levels and from different periods with the analysis of strong chess engines. They concluded that the increase in the number of grandmasters and higher Elo ratings of the top players reflect an actual increase in the average standard of play, rather than "rating inflation" or "title inflation".<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Regan|first1=Kenneth|last2=Haworth|first2=Guy|date=2011-08-04|title=Intrinsic Chess Ratings|url=https://ojs.aaai.org/index.php/AAAI/article/view/7951|journal=Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence|language=en|volume=25|issue=1|pages=834–839 |doi=10.1609/aaai.v25i1.7951 |s2cid=15489049 |issn=2374-3468|access-date=20 April 2021|archive-date=20 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420130735/https://ojs.aaai.org/index.php/AAAI/article/view/7951|url-status=live|doi-access=free}}</ref>

====Professional chess====
[[File:Gukesh in 2024 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|[[Gukesh Dommaraju]] of India, current World Champion]]
[[File:MagnusCarlsen24.jpg|thumb|right|[[Magnus Carlsen]] of Norway, top 1 FIDE ranked player since July 2011]]
In 1993, Garry Kasparov and [[Nigel Short]] broke ties with FIDE to organize their own match for the World Championship and formed a competing [[Professional Chess Association]] (PCA). From then until 2006, there were two simultaneous World Championships and respective World Champions: the PCA or "classical" champions extending the Steinitzian tradition in which the current champion plays a challenger in a series of games, and the other following FIDE's new format of many players competing in a large knockout tournament to determine the champion. Kasparov lost his PCA title in [[Classical World Chess Championship 2000|2000]] to [[Vladimir Kramnik]] of Russia.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/europe/11/02/chess.kramnik/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060128031243/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/europe/11/02/chess.kramnik/index.html |archive-date=28 January 2006 |title=Kramnik beats Kasparov, 2000 |access-date=4 September 2010 |publisher=CNN |date=2 November 2000}}</ref> Due to the complicated state of world chess politics and difficulties obtaining commercial sponsorships, Kasparov was never able to challenge for the title again. Despite this, he continued to dominate in top level tournaments and remained the world's [[List of FIDE chess world number ones|highest rated player]] until his retirement from competitive chess in 2005.

The [[World Chess Championship 2006]], in which Kramnik beat the FIDE World Champion [[Veselin Topalov]], reunified the titles and made Kramnik the undisputed World Chess Champion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=12295 |title=Vladimir Kramnik |website=[[Chessgames.com]] |access-date=26 November 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222121703/http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessplayer?pid=12295 |archive-date=22 December 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> In September 2007, he lost the title to [[Viswanathan Anand]] of India. Anand defended his title in the [[World Chess Championship 2008|revenge match of 2008]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Viswanathan Anand regains world chess title |date=30 September 2007 |work=Reuters |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idINIndia-29785520070930 |access-date=13 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226102028/http://in.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idINIndia-29785520070930 |archive-date=26 December 2007 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> 2010 and 2012. [[Magnus Carlsen]] defeated Anand in [[World Chess Championship 2013|2013]], defending his title in [[World Chess Championship 2014|2014]], [[World Chess Championship 2016|2016]], [[World Chess Championship 2018|2018]], and [[World Chess Championship 2021|2021]], whereafter he announced that he would not defend his title a fifth time. The [[World Chess Championship 2023|2023 championship]] was played between the winner and runner-up of the [[Candidates Tournament 2022]]: [[Ian Nepomniachtchi]] of Russia and [[Ding Liren]] of China. Ding beat Nepomniachtchi, making him the world champion.<ref name="WCC2023" /> In [[World Chess Championship 2024|2024]], Indian [[Gukesh Dommaraju]] beat Ding.
{{clear left}}