Announcing The 2024 CrunchLabs Masters, Champions Chess Tour's Third Event
Chess.com is excited to announce the 2024 CrunchLabs Masters, the next leg of The Champions Chess Tour (CCT). Running from July 17 to July 24, this highly anticipated event, in partnership with CrunchLabs, will feature the world's top chess players competing for a $300,000 prize pool and a coveted spot in the CCT Finals.
CrunchLabs is an educational STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) subscription box company founded by former NASA engineer and YouTube sensation Mark Rober. CrunchLabs teaches you how to think, build, and play like an engineer through two different subscription boxes: Build Box, which packs DIY toys for kids aged 8-12, and Hack Pack, a robot-in-a-box kit designed for teens and adults.
Fans can count on the presence of last year's Tour champion GM Magnus Carlsen, who finished second in the previous CCT event. GM Alireza Firouzja, who made history by defeating Carlsen twice to win it all, is also participating. Can Firouzja repeat his prowess against the world number one, or will Carlsen exact revenge on his unshakeable opponent?
The final player with a guaranteed spot in Division I is GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, who defeated world number nine GM Wesley So to win Division II of the 2024 Chess.com Classic. Other confirmed players include Polish number one GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda, So, super-GM Dmitry Andreikin, and GM Grigoriy Oparin, who will all start at a favorable spot to fight for a place in Division I.
As part of the CrunchLabs Masters, we're also unveiling a new bot inspired by Mark Rober. Rober is known for his unique approach to problem-solving and engaging educational content—but can he play chess? Challenge him and find out! For a limited time, the Rober bot will offer chess fans a fun and unique way to improve their game.
“I’m a huge fan of both Mark Rober and CrunchLabs, my son and I have spent many years assembling science projects in a box and it has been incredibly bonding,” said Erik Allebest, CEO of Chess.com. “I've been to the CrunchLabs offices and seen the passion driving their team and the ingenuity they bring to their projects, which we then get to enjoy at home. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the CrunchLabs team.”
I've been to the CrunchLabs offices and seen the passion driving their team and the ingenuity they bring to their projects, which we then get to enjoy at home. We’re thrilled to be collaborating with the CrunchLabs team.
— Erik Allebest, Chess.com's CEO
"It's been awesome working with Erik and the Chess.com team and seeing how these chess masters dominate the game," says Rober. "The CrunchLabs formula is meant to get people stoked about science while having tons of fun. Similarly, Chess.com brings even more engagement and excitement to the game of chess and allows people to have a good time while learning more about the intricate sport. We can't wait to see who comes out on top at The CrunchLabs Masters."
The CrunchLabs Masters is a highlight of the chess calendar. With a substantial prize pool and critical CCT points on the line, fans can expect high-stakes games and strategic brilliance from the world's best players.
We invite all members to join the excitement by tuning in to watch the live broadcast of the 2024 CrunchLabs Masters on Chess.com/TV, Twitch, and YouTube, playing the Mark Rober bot, or taking advantage of the CrunchLabs exclusive subscription offer.
Enjoy an exclusive $32 discount on CrunchLabs' annual Build Box and Hack Pack subscription boxes by clicking here.
Since its inception in 2022, CrunchLabs has been dedicated to providing educational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) products for kids. Our subscription-based boxes such as Build Box and Hack Pack blend education and entertainment, designed to teach people how to “Think Like an Engineer™.” Founded by Mark Rober, YouTube personality and former NASA engineer, CrunchLabs aims to inspire curiosity and perseverance through engaging science experiments that impart fundamental STEM principles. Composed of a dynamic team of fun-loving design enthusiasts and engineering experts, CrunchLabs fosters creativity with a penchant for playful pranks and experimentation, making technology accessible to all.
