Checkmate: Chess Enters the Big Leagues as World Chess Plc Eyes the Prize

The BBC, never one to ignore a cultural zeitgeist, has just launched Chess Masters: The Endgame, a high-stakes, drama-infused contest featuring 12 rising stars from the UK’s booming chess community. Hosted by Sue Perkins, the show aims to capture the energy, intellect, and psychological warfare that define the game, wrapping it all up in a prime-time, entertainment-friendly package.

But while the Beeb pats itself on the back for bringing chess to the masses, one company on the London Stock Exchange has been quietly several moves ahead. 

World Chess Plc CHSS Follow | CHSS a name that should be on every investor’s radar, last week unveiled The World Chess Show—a global chess property that will air across 156 markets via 53 networks. It’s a bold play designed not just to showcase elite competition but to transform chess into mainstream entertainment.

And let’s be honest—while Chess Masters is a welcome addition to the UK’s TV schedule, the BBC has rather conspicuously copied World Chess Plc’s idea. The difference? The World Chess Show isn’t just a one-off TV contest; it’s part of a much bigger strategy to commercialize and modernize the game for its estimated 600 million active players.

The Rise of Chess as a Media Property

Once confined to smoky clubs, school classrooms, and the occasional World Championship broadcast, chess has undergone a digital revolution over the last decade. Platforms like Chess.com and Lichess have seen explosive growth, propelled by a pandemic-era boom and Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit. But while the internet has done wonders for the game, chess as an entertainment product remains largely untapped, until now.

World Chess Plc, in partnership with FIDE (the International Chess Federation), is spearheading this transformation. The World Chess Show promises to be more than just tournament footage, it’s designed as a full-scale media property, featuring top players, behind-the-scenes access, and gripping storytelling. Think Drive to Survive meets The Queen’s Gambit, with all the sponsorship and advertising potential that comes with that comparison.

Crucially, World Chess isn’t just producing content; it’s integrating its official online platform, Chess Arena, into the mix. This means audiences won’t just watch chess; they’ll be drawn into playing it, creating a closed-loop ecosystem that monetizes engagement at multiple levels.

A Winning Move for Investors?

For investors, World Chess Plc is an intriguing stock pick. The company is positioning itself as the leading brand in modern chess, blending media, technology, and tradition to commercialize the game for a global audience.

Here’s why that matters:

1. Chess is Booming – An estimated 600 million people play chess regularly, with nearly a billion fans worldwide. The game is particularly popular among high-income demographics—a dream audience for advertisers and sponsors.
2. Monetization Potential – Unlike most traditional sports, chess has barely scratched the surface of its commercial value. World Chess is looking to change that through TV rights, sponsorships, digital subscriptions, and online gaming.
3. Strategic Partnerships – With the backing of FIDE and integration with Chess Arena, World Chess is well-placed to become the definitive name in online and offline chess engagement.
4. First-Mover Advantage – The BBC’s Chess Masters is proof that the demand for chess content is growing. But while the Beeb might get good ratings, World Chess is in the business of making money from the game.

The Bigger Picture: Chess as a Mainstream Sport

World Chess Plc sees chess not as a niche pursuit but as a sport with the potential to rival poker, e-sports, and even Formula 1 in terms of global entertainment appeal. By investing in high-production-value storytelling and tapping into the game’s digital and mobile potential, the company is betting on a future where chess players are as recognizable as footballers—or at least as marketable.

For investors, this could be an opportunity to get in early on a stock that has all the hallmarks of a long-term growth story. With mainstream media waking up to the game’s potential and World Chess Plc leading the charge, the board is set, and the pieces are in motion.

As for the BBC, well, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But if you’re looking for the real checkmate move, you might want to look at the CHSS, and not just the BBC.