A major news for chess – a tech giant enters the scene as sponsor of the largest individual chess event of the calendar. Google was announced as Title Sponsor of World Chess Championship 2024 . The World Chess Championship will be a 14 games match between the reigning world champion Ding Liren and the challenger Gukesh D to determine the World Chess Champion. The match is scheduled to take place between November 23 and December 15, 2024, with Singapore hosting the match.
This is the first time a global tech giant sponsors the FIDE World Chess Championship. In previous instances we have seen Intel sponsor a PCA match of Kasparov and IBM sponsor Kasparov’s matches with Deep Blue, but this will be a FIDE first at the World Chess Championships.
The partnership with Google, together with the fact that players from the two largest nations in the world will race for the title, give FIDE a chance to break its own viewership record achieved during the match Anand – Carlsen.
Press release: Google announced as Title Sponsor of World Chess Championship 2024
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and Singapore Chess Federation (SCF) are proud to announce Google as the Title Sponsor of the FIDE World Chess Championship Singapore 2024, which will take place at Resorts World Sentosa from November 23 to December 15, 2024. This landmark collaboration marks the first time the World Chess Championship has been sponsored by a global technology leader, setting a new standard for the sport’s reach and influence.
Google Chief Marketing Officer for Asia Pacific Simon Kahn said: “Google is excited to sponsor this historic event. Chess represents a profound intersection of human ingenuity and technological potential, and has always been a proving ground for AI innovation. In fact, some of our earliest AI breakthroughs came from mastering chess as a proof-of-concept. Through Search, YouTube, and AI, we are now delighted to enhance the Championship experience for chess fans globally, celebrating the beauty of this game that continues to inspire and challenge us.”
As chess continues to rise in global popularity, FIDE’s collaboration with Google signals a major step forward in connecting the sport with modern technology. Emil Sutovsky, CEO of FIDE, shared his excitement about the collaboration: “FIDE is thrilled to partner Google, as it becomes the title sponsor of the World Championship Match. It is a milestone for our sport. This collaboration brings a new dimension to the competition, blending the tradition of chess with the innovation of AI. The partnership is set to elevate the visibility of the World Chess Championship, taking the broadcast of the event to the next level and attracting new audiences globally.”
Kevin Goh, CEO of SCF, added: “For Google to be our presenting sponsor for this year’s World Championship match is a groundbreaking moment for chess both in Singapore and globally. It is the first time a global technology leader has sponsored the most important chess event. Among many other innovative breakthroughs, Google has, in recent years, captivated the chess community with AlphaZero [ed. note: technology currently used in Leela Chess Zero], its neural networks-inspired chess programme. Chess is all about problem-solving, and we are glad that Google’s special focus on deep learning resonates well with the game.”
FIDE and SCF look forward to delivering an unforgettable Championship that will resonate globally, far beyond the final checkmate. Google’s sponsorship redefines the potential of the World Chess Championship, paving the way for a future where technology and chess continue to inspire and challenge each other, creating an engaging and dynamic environment for both players and fans alike.
