Draft:Clash of Claims Tournament

Levy Rozman

Clash of Claims is a high-stakes chess event that garnered significant media attention due to its unique format and the controversy surrounding it. Organized by GothamChess, also known as Levy Rozman, this event featured former World Chess Champion Vladimir Kramnik and Grandmaster José Martínez Alcántara (Jospem). The event took place from June 7-9, 2024, at the Gran Vía Casino in Madrid, Spain​​.

Background and Controversy:

The event arose from allegations made by Kramnik against Martínez, accusing him of online cheating. These accusations led to a highly publicized showdown, designed to settle the dispute over the board and online​ (Chess.com)​​ (Clash of Claims)​. The format included 36 blitz games, split evenly between over-the-board (OTB) and online matches, each with a time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move​​.

Key Highlights:


 * 1) Day 1: The first day saw both players competing in OTB games, ending with a 3-3 tie. Kramnik's insistence on unboxing new laptops daily for the online games added to the drama​ (Chess.com)​.
 * 2) Day 2: The second day involved extensive negotiations due to technical issues with the online games, leading to an agreement to play additional OTB games. Kramnik took a lead, but the day ended with a narrow margin​(Chess.com)​.
 * 3) Day 3: The final day focused on online blitz games, where Martínez excelled, ultimately winning the match 14.5-11.5. The event concluded with Martínez being hailed for his performance, despite the intense scrutiny and pressure​(Chess.com)​​ (ChessTopics)​.

Chess.com Controversy:

One of the major controversies surrounding the event was the inadequate performance of Chess.com during the online matches. There were significant technical issues, including problems with clock synchronization and failed software updates, which led to disputes and interruptions during the games​ (Chess.com)​. These incidents highlighted the platform's shortcomings and contributed to the event's dramatic narrative.

Upcoming Event: Clash of Claims 2

Following the success and widespread attention of the original event, World Chess is organizing Clash of Claims 2, set to feature a rematch between Kramnik and Martínez. This major media-friendly event is scheduled to take place in London in August 2024. It promises to be a significant spectacle, aiming to further the narrative of fair play and integrity in chess while providing thrilling entertainment for the global chess community.

ChessArena.com Involvement:

To avoid the technical pitfalls experienced during the first event, Clash of Claims 2 will be held on ChessArena.com. This decision aims to showcase ChessArena.com's capabilities and reliability as a premier platform for high-stakes chess competitions. The company is eager to demonstrate its product's robustness and superior performance to the chess community and beyond.

Anticipated Features:


 * High-Stakes Rematch: The event will feature Kramnik and Martínez in a rematch, continuing their intense rivalry and quest for chess integrity.
 * Media Coverage: With extensive live commentary from prominent figures such as GothamChess and other well-known chess commentators, the event aims to attract a large audience both online and in-person.
 * Interactive Elements: The event will include interactive segments for viewers, with live analysis and opportunities to engage with the commentators and players.