We Need To Put An End To chess.com's Monopoly!

As an avid chess player and long-time member of the online chess community, I've watched with growing concern as Chess.com has steadily consolidated its power in the digital chess world. While the platform has undoubtedly brought many benefits to players, its increasing dominance raises serious questions about the future of chess.

As someone who values competition and diversity in chess, I can't help but worry about the implications of this consolidation. A monopoly in any industry tends to be bad for consumers, and chess is no exception. With fewer alternatives, we risk seeing reduced innovation in chess platforms and learning tools and potential increases in subscription prices.

However, what troubles me most is the potential long-term effect on the chess community. Fewer competing platforms could mean fewer jobs for commentators, content creators, and other chess professionals. This could discourage talented individuals from pursuing careers in chess, ultimately stunting the growth and vibrancy of the game we love.

A Call For Balance

Don't get me wrong – I appreciate many of the features and services Chess.com provides. However, I believe it's crucial for the health of online chess that we maintain a diverse ecosystem of platforms and opportunities.

As players, we can contribute by using platforms like Lichess. Since Lichess operates as a non-profit, it depends on user donations to cover server costs. Therefore, to support my favorite chess platform, I’ve decided to make a small donation, and I encourage you to do the same if you can. It might not be a lot, but every bit helps!

Additionally, there are other platforms beyond Chess.com and Lichess where you can learn chess. However, these platforms often struggle to gain visibility because Chess.com restricts the content creators they sponsor from promoting other websites or tools.

If you know of any good chess learning websites that aren't owned by chess.com, I encourage you to reach out to me or share their names through this Google form.