If you follow the Internet chess scene closely you will no doubt have noticed the new kid on the block: Regium. Purportedly an e-board that can connect to all the major chess websites and play seamlessly with a real physical board, over the Internet! For chess fans it's a dream, and we shouldn't forget to mention a similar product already on the market: Square Off. However, this Regium product apparently uses a new system, a grid of fixed electromagnets, rather than a mechanical arm and single magnet - making it much thinner and quieter.

As people, we are more likely to believe what we want to be true. In the face of a miraculous product, some skepticism is healthy. While we want to believe as much as any chess lover, we have a few doubts about these claims as well as the conduct of Regium. Here are some reasons for caution.

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Last time out, we saw Crestbook Chess Club cruise to victory, but this time GM Sergei Zhigalko bravely struck out on his own to challenge the reigning champions and it was a much closer affair! However, the Zhigalko fans fell just 37 points short and had to settle for 2nd place (still a great achievement and much closer than the 300 point lead of the first battle). But who can topple Crestbook? We'll find out next time!

Thanks to all the streamers leading their teams onto the battlefield, and to all the players! We had an even more diverse mix of teams this time with additional representation from the Spanish and Arabic speaking worlds. Please join us in congratulating the teams participating in this event:

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This month's Lichess Titled Arena will be on Saturday the 22nd February at 19:00 UTC!

The event will as usual be preceded by a bullet 1+0 Warm-up Arena, open to all players with a minimum of 20 rated bullet games. Yes, even you.

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After the incredible response to our first Streamer Team Battle, we are pleased to announce another edition to begin this Saturday (15th February) at 19:00 UTC.

The rules are the same as previously:

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With 448 titled players joining the first event of the decade (and 356 playing) it's one of the largest titled events we've had! It wasn't just the size that was impressive though, the performance of one player took centre stage: GM Andrew Tang (@penguingim1), the Penguin. Starting off with a magnificent streak of 11 wins and a performance rating of 3,419 he laid down a serious marker for the rest of the competition. It wasn't all plain sailing though and the lead he achieved was narrow to start with, chased by Dmitry Andreikin (@Vladimirovich9000) and GM Alireza Firouzja (@alireza2003) at the half hour mark.

As the games passed though, the lead became greater, leading GM Sergei Zhigalko (@Zhigalko_Sergei) and GM Nihal Sarin (@nihalsarin2004) by 15 points just before the halfway point. The Penguin, time and again, showcased how he earned his "slippery" epithet, with escape acts like this one:

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A hush fell as the clock ticked down its final seconds, to the end of the inaugural Lichess Streamer Team Battle, which team would win... well by that point it was quite firmly decided! Congratulations to Crestbook Chess Club led by GM Sergey Shipov on their impressive performance and victory. It's not all about the winners though, 9 teams participated with over 5,400 players playing 35,190 games and 2,445,197 moves. Thanks to all the streamers leading their teams onto the battlefield, and to all the players! We've had great feedback on the event already and hope to organise another in the future, which teams will be included? Only time will tell, but for now let's congratulate the teams participating in this event:

The final standings were:

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A horn sounds in the distance... a call to arms! This Thursday (9th January) at 19:00 UTC, some of the largest chess streamers around will be clashing head to head in a Team Battle on Lichess - and they need your support! But what is a Team Battle?

You may have already heard about the new feature on Lichess, but in case you haven't:

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The first Lichess Titled Arena of the decade will be on Wednesday the 15th January at 19:00 UTC!

The event will as usual be preceded by a bullet 1+0 Warm-up Arena, open to all players with a minimum of 20 rated bullet games. Yes, even you.

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It’s been another eventful year for Lichess. We continue to grow in all metrics of activity - average players online, numbers of games played per month, and events held. Along with this, we’ve made significant changes to support the website and ensure our players get the most out of Lichess. As per tradition, we’ve decided to highlight what’s happened this year, and to set the bar for next year.

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The Lichess Titled Arena is back on Saturday the 14th December at 19:00 UTC!

The event will as usual be preceded by a bullet 1+0 Warm-up Arena, open to all players with a minimum of 20 rated bullet games. Yes, even you.

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