Animoca Brands Corporation Ltd subsidiary, Anichess, has partnered with global e-sports brand Team Secret to further connect competitive gaming and Web3. Anichess is a progressive chess-based online strategy game developed in partnership with Chess.com and five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlse.
Anichess provides a novel tactical twist on the classic game of chess by implementing spells that open up new strategies and gameplay, and that require players to rethink the rules of traditional chess as they uncover the expansive lore within the world of the gameboard. Anichess recently raised a funding round of US$1.8 million.
Supporting the partnership, Team Secret CEO John Yao will join Anichess as an advisor.
Yao said, “For how ancient the game of chess is, its e-sports scene is a fresh, rising star in terms of viewership, player base and tournaments.”
“Anichess is a promising twist on chess, with even more of what makes the original great: compelling tactics, broad recognition and rewards for players willing to think outside the box and surprise opponents. I’m looking forward to guiding Anichess into the realm of e-sports and integrating the new chess platform into our dedicated community,” added Yao.
Head of Anichess Brian Chan said, “E-sports has always been a core pillar of Anichess’ modernisation of chess’ legacy. Anichess’ engaging visuals, tools to improve and thrilling spells make it an amazing platform for all competitors, regardless of chess experience. We look forward to those willing to take on the challenge when PvP arrives in-game soon.”
Anichess–Team Secret partnership will solidify chess’s e-sports status
Team Secret is a global e-sports brand dedicated to bringing together the best gamers to compete worldwide, while also delivering entertaining experiences to its fans. It offers advertising and promotional sponsorship, talent and team development, business management, coaching, and other forms of support to both professional and aspiring players in the e-sports arena.
The partnership between Anichess and Team Secret aims to solidify chess’s e-sports status by combining a new platform to play and learn on for an engaged audience of up-and-coming online chess masters.
Ahead of the player-versus-player (PvP) mode launch later in Q2 2024, Anichess will receive input from Team Secret on its game design as well as support in bringing the spellbinding game to a dedicated community of e-sports players.
Anichess can be played for free at www.anichess.com, with a PvP mode coming soon.