The wait is over: Chess.com is comfortable to announce that the PRO Chess League is returning in 2023! The Professional Rapid Online League is the world’s premier on-line chess league for skilled gamers. The 2023 season begins on February 1, with high grandmasters from world wide competing for a bit of the $100,000 prize fund.

There will probably be 16 groups this season, and for the primary time in league historical past, anybody can apply to handle a squad! There will probably be 15 groups chosen earlier than the season begins with a three-day qualifying occasion to seek out crew #16. Further league data is accessible at right here and the shape to use is on the finish of this announcement.

The PCL made historical past in 2017 when it grew to become the primary skilled on-line speedy occasion open to gamers worldwide. The League instantly attracted among the recreation’s brightest stars, together with world champion Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov in simply its first season. Since then different stars like Ian Nepomniachtchi, Ding Liren, Anish Giri, and extra have additionally been PCL contributors.

An rapid hit in a pre-pandemic age, the PCL constructed on its sturdy basis and featured a stay ultimate in 2018 in San Francisco, which returned in 2019. Fans may collect and cheer for his or her favourite groups as they battled over the board. 

Now, after a two-year hiatus, the PCL is again in full pressure for its fifth full season, that includes the identical match format that gamers and viewers have grown to like. The motion kicks off on February 2023 with the league’s first-ever qualifier, and ends in May when one of the best groups will face off on the stay finals. 

As of now, functions are open for anybody who want to be crew managers within the 2023 Season of the PCL. Applications will probably be closed at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, 2022. Fill out the official type under in case you want to apply for a spot: