Chess.com has officially unveiled PogChamps 6, the highly anticipated sixth edition of its celebrated rookie tournament. Slated to commence on April 29, 2025, this year’s event promises to elevate the excitement with an even grander lineup, featuring an array of notable Twitch streamers, YouTubers, and professional athletes.
Since its inception in 2020, PogChamps has capitalized on the burgeoning interest in chess, sparked largely by live-streaming platforms where popular content creators showcased the game to new audiences globally. The tournament has continuously attracted a growing fanbase and increased viewership, solidifying its position in the chess community.
Exciting Line-up and Notable Participants
PogChamps 6 will host a mix of familiar faces alongside fresh talents. Participants include renowned figures such as Ludwig, Dr. Lupo, and Mongraal. The tournament will also welcome noteworthy athletes like Olympic competitor Stephen Nedroscik and football star Ebere Eze, all vying for the impressive $100K prize pool.
Format and Prizes of PogChamps 6
The format for PogChamps 6 introduces an innovative structure. There will be 12 players divided into two groups of six, competing through a round-robin group stage to qualify for the knockout rounds. Each competitor will face every other member of their group once, engaging in two games per match under the 10+5 time control format. In the event of a tie, the match will proceed to a tiebreaker of 3+5 until a winner is determined.
Points are awarded based on performance: an outright victory will yield 3 points, whereas winning a tiebreaker provides 2 points, and a loss during tiebreakers grants 1 point. The top three players from each group will advance to the Championship Bracket of the knockout stage, while the bottom trio will enter the Consolation Bracket. Match rules will remain consistent throughout both stages.
Prize Distribution Breakdown
In the Championship Bracket, competitors will compete in a single-elimination format, with the ultimate winner receiving a prize of $20K. The second-place contestant will secure $14K, while the players finishing in third through fifth positions will earn $8K and $6K respectively.
For those in the Consolation Bracket, the stakes are also significant: the first-place winner will take home $10K, and the runner-up will receive $8K. Additionally, the participants finishing in third and fifth places will earn $6K and $4K respectively.
PogChamps 6 will be streamed live on Chess.com’s official Twitch channel, from April 29 to May 2, offering fans worldwide the chance to witness this thrilling chess tournament unfold in real-time.