Chess Legend Pia Cramling To Face Off With Levy Rozman In Battle Of Generations

Get ready for an exciting event between two generations, as Swedish chess legend GM Pia Cramling goes head-to-head against the Internet's chess teacher IM Levy Rozman in a six-day over-the-board event in Stockholm.

The Battle of Generations showdown will take place in Stockholm, Sweden, from October 28 to November 2 and is organized by none other than WFM Anna Cramling, the popular streamer, content creator, and Pia's daughter.

The youngest Cramling broke the news on her YouTube channel:

The match will feature a total of 22 games in a mix of time controls:

• Four classical games (90 minutes plus 30 seconds increment)
• Six rapid games (15 minutes plus 10 seconds increment)
• 12 blitz games (3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment)

61-year-old Cramling is a true chess icon who has been ranked among the world's best female players for four decades. In fact, she was ranked number one in the 80s and early 90s. In 1993, she became only the fifth woman to earn the grandmaster title.

Since then, Pia has been regarded as one of the most respected figures in the chess world. She is a true lover of the game, competing in as many tournaments as she can. This year, she participated in several major events, such as the Norway Chess Women's tournament and the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest alongside her daughter.

She has also been regularly featured in videos on Anna's YouTube channel, and the two also teamed up to play in Chess.com's Team Chess Battle 2 last week—with success.

The Swedish chess legend is now ready for another challenge, telling Chess.com: "I’m so excited to play this match and to get a chance to play against Levy in three different formats. It’s like three different matches even though at the end they are counted together as one," she said.

Asked what fans can expect, she said: "I believe the fans will see exciting chess during these six days. It is a battle between generations. Will youth and energy prevail, or will my experience be enough to help me in the battle? In classical and rapid my rating is higher than Levy's, but in blitz it is the other way around."

I believe the fans will see exciting chess during these six days. It is a battle between generations. Will youth and energy prevail, or will my experience be enough to help me in the battle?

—Pia Cramling

Meanwhile, Rozman, known by millions of his fans as GothamChess, is the world's most popular chess YouTuber thanks to his entertaining videos and streams. Rozman has made his mark online, but recently he has taken on a journey toward achieving the grandmaster title, almost scoring his first norm earlier this year.

While Cramling has plenty of experience in the format, this is entirely new for Rozman. Speaking to Chess.com, the 28-year-old said:

"First of all, I've never played an officially sanctioned match in a more traditional format. I've played in the Speed Chess Championship format, but this is totally different," he said before praising his opponent.

"Second, I get to play a legend who has played some of the best players in the world during her career... and she just so happens to be a huge YouTube sensation with millions of views watching her play in parks around the world.

GothamChess vs. Pia Cramling

October 28 to November 2

Stockholm, Sweden

4 classical chess games.
6 rapid.
12 blitz.

$10,000 prize fund. pic.twitter.com/vOSrfbDomw

— GothamChess (@GothamChess) October 18, 2024

"And lastly—I'm the underdog. Many, many people may root for me, but I think even more will believe in Pia."

I'm the underdog. Many, many people may root for me, but I think even more will believe in Pia.

—Levy Rozman

Pia's daughter Anna has a personal stake in the match and can't hide her excitement.

"I am so excited about this match because the two people playing against each other are so different," said Anna. She also warned Levy: "I know my mom is preparing for this match every single day in October!"

To honor Pia Cramling before the match, Chess.com released a brand new bot on Friday so you can get a taste of what it's like to challenge the Swedish legend.

Play Against Pia's Bot

Who do you think will win the Battle Of Generations? Feel free to share your predictions in the comments below!