Chess enthusiasts and tech fans alike are in for a treat as the “Hans Niemann vs. You” challenge will take place at the Web Summit in Lisbon on 13 November. The innovative match will see Grandmaster Hans Niemann taking on a global team of participants, each aided by an AI advisor developed by it.com Domains. The event, held in collaboration with World Chess and Web Summit, invites anyone online, regardless of chess skill, to join in real-time, adding a modern twist to historic chess showdowns.
The concept recalls Garry Kasparov’s “Kasparov vs. the World” game in 1999, which saw over 50,000 participants strategising against the Grandmaster. Yet the challenge is also influenced by his earlier famous clash against IBM’s Deep Blue in 1997, the first instance of a computer besting a reigning world champion. In a similar spirit, this event will blend human and artificial intelligence, opening doors to collaborative strategy in chess.
This match, starting at 12:15 PM GMT, will unfold with the help of an AI advisor powered by the Stockfish engine. Participants in the “World Team” will be presented with three possible moves—each representing different skill levels, from Grandmaster to Amateur. They’ll have 30 seconds to vote on their preferred move without knowing its specific difficulty rating. The option with the most votes becomes the World Team’s official move. Niemann, meanwhile, will have a set time to respond, playing against the collective decisions of the global participants.
Andrey Insarov, CEO of it.com Domains, emphasised the company’s commitment to challenging the norms. “We’re here to shake things up – whether in the world of domains or on the chessboard. Partnering with Hans Niemann was a natural fit, as he’s an exciting, innovative figure in chess, and we wanted to give people a chance to challenge a Grandmaster with the help of AI,” he said.
Also supporting the event, Ilya Merenzon, CEO of World Chess, highlighted its unique appeal to the tech community. “Chess is a natural space for tech enthusiasts. This collaboration with it.com Domains and Niemann offers a fun, strategic experience with the thrill of shared participation.”
The event marks another milestone for 21-year-old Hans Niemann, whose impressive achievements include a notable appearance in the Sinquefield Cup and a title in the U.S. Chess Championships under-20 category. Known for his dynamic play, Niemann is considered a major force in the chess world.
Laura O’Neill, SVP of Speakers and Media at Web Summit, commented on the event’s relevance to Web Summit’s audience. “This blend of chess and tech reflects the ethos of Web Summit. It’s an engaging way to connect tech and chess communities and will be a memorable feature of this year’s event.”
The “Hans Niemann vs. You” challenge underscores it.com Domains’ growing influence as a disruptor in the digital domain space, bringing creative branding opportunities to companies and individuals alike. The event offers a chance for participants worldwide to be part of a chess history moment, bridging traditional and technological boundaries in a shared experience.
Fans can join this match by visiting chess.it.com, where the real-time gameplay and voting system will be available, making it easy for players of any skill level to take part in the challenge against Niemann and experience chess as a community-powered battle of wits and strategy.
