press kit

PITCH

Experience the thrill of fast and furious speed chess with Checkmate, the next-generation esports-first broadcast and tournament platform. Get ready to compete and ensure every move counts as you battle for glory, cash, credits, and collectibles. From arcade to competitive play, we reward your skills and ensure your mates play fair.

Checkmate is redefining competitive online chess and accelerating its status as an esport. In an era where digital entertainment and competitive gaming converge, we bridge the gap between online chess and the adrenaline of fast-paced esports. Checkmate.live offers a free-to-play, compete-to-win model that rewards skill and active participation at all levels.

More than just a game, Checkmate.live is about social play with its in-platform video conferencing and community features. The platform's proprietary multi-model AI and computer vision anti-cheat system ensures integrity and fair play, positioning Checkmate.live at the forefront of integrity and technological innovation.

Checkmate.live redefines online chess, offering community-centric, in-platform video conferencing and interactive features. It champions fairness with proprietary multi-model AI and computer vision technology, setting a new standard for integrity in online gaming. The platform caters to a spectrum of players with its state-of-the-art tournament system, with Division Play for skill-based matchmaking, Flexible Match Formats ranging from quick single rounds to squad battles, and Multi-stage Tournaments that promise a challenging and engaging experience. These innovations position Checkmate.live as a pioneering force in the competitive world of online chess.

At its heart is the fusion of live gaming-as-a-service with the latest in sports and media technology, offering a socially engaging and competitively rich chess experience for players of all levels. By integrating a community-sharing model, Checkmate.live ensures players contribute to and share in the platform's success, fostering a fair and rewarding playing environment.

With cutting-edge technology incorporating the best of AI, Web2, and Web3 alongside advanced media technology, Checkmate.live offers an immersive experience where chess, innovation, and integrity converge. In partnership with industry leader Tencent and exclusive collaborations with chess and esports federations worldwide, Checkmate.live is set to establish new standards in competitive chess, esports, and fair play.

Features

  • Free-to-Play, Compete-to-Win Model: Offering a dynamic gaming environment where skill and active participation are rewarded at all levels.
  • Esports-First Approach: Tailored specifically to speed chess, this platform captures esports' high-stakes thrill and competitive edge.
  • In-Platform Video Conferencing: Facilitates social play with mates, streaming, and competitive match monitoring.
  • Proprietary Multi-Model AI and Computer Vision Anti-Cheat: Utilizes advanced technology with human oversight to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of competitive matches.
  • Progressive Rewards System: Engages players with the opportunity to earn credits and collectibles, from Avatar Traits to card packs to unlocking tokens and earning crowns back.
  • Collectibles & Rewards: Each season offers themed collections of unique cards, avatars, and skins, unlocking special loot like Legendary Cards, Golden Tickets, and Custom Chess Sets upon successful completion.
  • Arcade Mode: Combines the thrill of card collecting with speed chess in a dynamic gameplay environment, allowing players to collect, battle, level up, fuse, and trade limited edition cards.
  • Pro Mode: Geared towards serious competitive play, featuring pro and rated tournaments, an ad-free experience, and a battle pass system. Enhanced AI Anti-cheat and video monitoring ensure fair play.
  • Avatars: The Checkmate Avatar System provides dynamic, upgradable avatars reflecting player progress and style. Avatars can be customized, traded, streamed, and minted as unique season-end collectibles.
  • Next-Gen Avatars: Pro members enjoy enhanced 3D in-game avatars that mirror player movements in Pro mode, offering an immersive experience and enhancing privacy during games and streams.
  • Limited Edition DLC: Offers a variety of limited edition items, from downloadable content (DLC) to in-game assets, licensed IP, and exclusive in-house avatars.
  • Tournaments: Compete for loot and USDC in tournaments, rewarding players at all skill levels with division play.
  • Playing the Market: Enables players to trade Avatars, traits, skins, and cards in the Checkmate marketplace.
  • Division Play: Accommodates everyone from casual gamers to intense competitive players based on skill-based division across game modes
  • Flexible Match Formats: Offers a variety of match and tournament formats, including Bo1-Bo7, Solo, and Squad Play.
  • Multi-stage Tournaments: Features seamless stage transitions, adaptability for complex formats, multiple time controls, and Best-of series, offering dynamic competitive experiences.
  • Cutting-Edge Technology: Incorporates the best of AI, Web2, and Web3 alongside advanced media technology to provide an immersive experience.
  • Multiplatform Accessibility: As a Progressive Web App, Checkmate.live is accessible on desktop and mobile devices, enabling players to enjoy the game anytime, anywhere.
  • Official Online Platform for the Asian Chess Federation: Serving Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania as the endorsed platform for competitive play and a trusted platform for pro players.

MODES

  • Arcade Mode
    Introducing an innovative twist to traditional chess with our collectible card game. Inspired by trading card games and free-to-play video games, our arcade mode allows players to collect limited edition collectable cards that can be battled, levelled up, fused, and traded.
  • Battle Mode
    Battle Mode offers an engaging combination of chess and strategic card collection, where players can stake collectible cards based on the outcome of a chess match.
  • Pro Mode
    Checkmate's Pro Mode is a premium offering that unlocks pro and rated tournaments, in-game items, and an ad-free experience, new features along with its exclusive video conferencing feature. It's ideal for players at all skill levels who are serious about competitive play and want higher rewards. In addition to the ability to play for USDC, the Pro Pass includes its own battle pass system for our Arcade Mode
  • Scrim Mode
    Scrim Mode is an unrated environment where you can experiment, learn, and connect with other players. It's your go-to mode whether you're gearing up for competitive play, sharing your love for chess with viewers, or just looking for a friendly match.

To further strengthen our Pro Mode, we have implemented an enhanced AI Anticheat system and in-game video monitoring. The AI Anticheat system uses advanced algorithms to detect any irregularities in gameplay, ensuring all players adhere to the rules. In-game video monitoring allows for closer oversight during high-stakes tournaments to ensure that competitions are conducted fairly.

Our commitment extends through our partnerships with the Asian Chess Federation, the Arab Esports Federation, and other International Esports Federations. As members of the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC), we are equipped with the necessary tools and support to effectively monitor and address any breaches of fair play. We have a reporting mechanism to report serious cheating incidents, in line with our agreements with these federations.

Fair Play

Checkmate's commitment to a fair and enjoyable gaming experience is reflected in its advanced AI and fair play measures:

  • Robust Anti-Cheat Measures:
    A combination of internally developed AI anti-cheat systems and human oversight from international chess and esports federations upholds game integrity.
  • Avatar System for Privacy: Enhanced privacy options, including third-party KYC with hashed biometric data, provide secure and anonymous participation.
  • Szuperchess Integration: Innovative AI and computer vision technology monitor gameplay in real-time, ensuring a level playing field.

To further strengthen our Pro Mode, we have implemented an enhanced AI Anticheat system and in-game video monitoring. The AI Anticheat system uses advanced algorithms to detect any irregularities in gameplay, ensuring all players adhere to the rules. In-game video monitoring allows for closer oversight during high-stakes tournaments to ensure that competitions are conducted fairly.

Our commitment extends through our partnerships with the Asian Chess Federation, the Arab Esports Federation, and other International Esports Federations. As members of the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC), we are equipped with the necessary tools and support to effectively monitor and address any breaches of fair play. We have a reporting mechanism to report serious cheating incidents, in line with our agreements with these federations.

Our Mission

To accelerate online speed chess as an esport

achievements

  • Exclusive online data, tournament and broadcast partner of the Asian Chess Federation and Arab Esports Federation (73 National Federations)
  • Strategic Partnership with Tencent Cloud 
  • Best Competitive Play Focused Game Publisher 2023 - Australia
    Gaming and Development Awards 2023, Innovation in Business
  • Acquired Szuperchess , a computer vision-based Anit-Cheat for chess in 2023

Development

  • The platform is in Alpha and gearing up for its Alpha Launch
  • The Alpha Launch introduces the Alpha platform to players with exclusive Alpha Packs and Passes being offered for early adopters and supporters.
  • Our product road map is available here
  • A full look under the hood is available in our Playbook

Alpha Launch

The Alpha Launch of Checkmate marks the rollout of our live Alpha platform, featuring exclusive Alpha Packs and Passes for our early adopters, conducted in close collaboration with our community and federation partners.  Each Alpha Pack unlocks exclusive Checkmate early adopter benefits, drops, loot, tournaments, rewards, and a pro pass membership ranging from one to seven years.

More information available here

ONLINE CHESS MARKET

  • It is estimated globally 700M play chess
  • 420M play online monthly across major chess platforms - Source: SEMRUSH
  • 85% of players are casual players
  • Similar to esports 60% of players are between the age of 18-34
  • Chess is recognised as a sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)
  • IOC Olympic Virtual Series featured online chess as an official title
  • Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games featured chess as a medal event

Media CONTACT

John McRae
Managing Director
Checkmate
+61 421001766
john@checkmate.live
www.checkmate.live

Approved  Quotes

"Our partnership with Checkmate will allow the Asian Chess Federation to deliver competitive online tournaments and increase opportunities for our players. A key determining factor in the decision to partner with Checkmate was their commitment to improving the integrity of online chess and their ability to successfully create a solution that satisfies ACF's vision for the future."
His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahayan

President, The Asian Chess Federation

His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Bin Shakboot Al Nahayan

President, Asian Chess Federation




"Both Checkmate and Tencent Cloud share a unified vision where the convergence of media and technology can be harnessed to level up the realm of competitive play, broadcasting, and chess – one of the world's largest sports and the next big thing in esports."
Leo Li Tencent Cloud

Leo Li

Vice President, Tencent Cloud International

Arab Esports Federation
"The Arab Esports Federation is delighted to partner with Checkmate and wholeheartedly supports their vision of improving the integrity of the online game and promoting it as both an esport and sport. Online chess is not a sports simulation; it’s a natural extension of the over-the-board game."

Hisham Al Taher

Secretary General, Arab Esports Federation

ESIC

"The Checkmate team have shown that they are gearing up to be leaders in promoting integrity measures in esports, and we are delighted to be working with them to bring fair play and competitive integrity to casual and tournament Chess"



Stephen Hanna

CEO, Esports Integrity Commission

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