In Brief:
- Anichess (official site) launches the Masters League, featuring eight top players competing for a 100,000 CHECK prize pool each season.
- The league operates as a round robin with promotion and relegation, ensuring a mix of elite and emerging talent.
- Season 10 offers a total prize distribution of 300,000 CHECK, with ratings now persisting across seasons.
Anichess launches Masters League
Anichess has introduced the Masters League, a competitive format for the top eight players in its unique chess variant, featuring spell-driven gameplay. Each season, the league will feature a round robin of best-of-five matches, with a total prize pool of 100,000 CHECK. The format not only rewards established players but also opens opportunities for new talent through promotion and relegation.
The inaugural lineup draws players from multiple sources. Ellaijio and Dreams advanced via the Road to Magnus Cup, while three spots were filled by top finishers from Seasons 5 to 7 Playoffs. The final three players secured their places through the Season 9 Playoffs. This approach integrates results from multiple seasons, offering a competitive field from the outset.
Match format and tiebreaks
In the Masters League, every match consists of up to five games, eliminating the chance of a single game determining the outcome. Should player standings tie after the initial matches, the Berger coefficient will determine rankings. If still tied, a best-of-three playoff will settle placements.
Progression through the playoffs
Below the Masters League are the Seasonal Playoffs, which also feature a 100,000 CHECK prize pool. A total of 64 competitors will fill the playoff spots, with 24 coming from the Standard ladder and another 24 qualifying based on seasonal points. Additional spots are reserved for streamers, titled players by invitation, and events like the Gambit Series. The top two finishers will advance into the Masters League, continuously refreshing the participant pool.
Playoff points and weekly events
The system supporting these playoffs relies on a weekly event calendar. Events like Spellbound and SpellStorm serve as qualifiers, offering playoff points and contributing to player rankings. The Gambit Series features buy-in matches, and the top two earn direct playoff spots. Relic Rush provides cosmetic rewards based on performance, while other lighter events like Mirror Mode and Spell Playground encourage engagement without stakes.
Scoring in these events rewards both placement and volume of play. Participants accumulate points even without top finishes, emphasizing activity throughout the weekly calendar.
Prize structure and changes
Anichess reveals a total of 300,000 CHECK in prizes for Season 10, divided evenly among the Seasonal Playoffs, the Masters League, and various events throughout the season.
Season 10 will mark the final rating reset, establishing permanent player rankings. Anichess indicated that new players have a unique opportunity to secure ladder positions before ratings begin to carry over permanently.
Inside Anichess
Anichess merges traditional chess with spell mechanics, allowing players to employ various spells while maintaining core chess rules. Developed by Animoca Brands in partnership with Chess.com, the game has attracted over 1 million players, featuring participation from prominent grandmasters.
CHECK, the in-game token, has a fixed supply of 1 billion. More than half is allocated to community and player rewards, allowing players to engage in tournaments, earn prizes, and buy in-game assets. Integration of CHECK aims to align rewards with skill in chess, said Chevan Tin, head of Anichess.
Looking ahead, a second game, King’s Gambit, is slated for release, expanding Anichess’s reach within the gaming community. The Masters League aims to reset standings at the end of Season 10, with four out of eight current players at risk of losing their spots.
