Chess.com’s partnership with CrunchLabs connected its July 2024 Champions Chess Tour event to a Mark Rober-inspired chess bot and a limited subscription offer. The CrunchLabs Masters ran July 17–24, 2024; the bot and $32 discount were announced as limited-time promotions, so neither should be assumed available now.
What was the CrunchLabs Masters?
Chess.com announced the CrunchLabs Masters as the third event of the 2024 Champions Chess Tour. Scheduled for July 17–24, 2024, it carried a $300,000 prize pool and a place in the CCT Finals was at stake, according to Chess.com’s event announcement. The dates also appear in the official 2024 event rulebook; this was a completed event, not a current tour listing.
How it fit into the tour
The rulebook describes a season built around online qualifiers and events, with play-in, division-placement, and division-play stages. Event performance could provide a route to the in-person finals. CrunchLabs Masters was one of four online events listed for the 2024 season. Those details describe that season’s format and should not be assumed to apply to later tours.
Why were Chess.com and CrunchLabs working together?
CrunchLabs was the event partner. Chess.com described it in 2024 as an educational STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) subscription-box company founded by Mark Rober, whom it identified as a former NASA engineer and YouTube creator. The partnership gave the chess event a science-and-engineering theme, while the bot and product promotion offered fans ways to engage beyond watching the tournament.
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- Comprehensive Learning Tools: Includes 128 tactical puzzles, 256 classic game scores, and unlimited move takebacks for in-depth study and replay.
What was the Mark Rober bot?
The announcement introduced a Mark Rober-inspired bot on Chess.com and invited members to play it for a limited time. Chess.com’s mark-rober-bot profile displays a July 8, 2024 join date, but that profile date does not establish whether the bot is playable today. The sources do not confirm its current availability.
What did the CrunchLabs discount cover?
Chess.com’s 2024 announcement offered the first 500 members a $32 discount on annual Build Box and Hack Pack subscriptions. It was a historical, limited offer; the announcement does not establish a current discount or replacement offer.
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- 【Chess Computer for Beginners and Kids】Great chess set for beginners and kids with LEDs to prompt you to move; Talking Chess and can get help prompting moves with the "?" button; FUN levels 1-2 to help beginners learn chess in a fun way, and 1000 built-in stalemate puzzles, all to help you learn chess faster.
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- 【Electronic Chess Board】With HD E-ink screen, it can be easily viewed under any light source to protect your eyes; Built-in rechargeable battery, it can be used for up to 8 hours with a full charge; Built-in storage box inside the board, when you don't want to play chess, store the pieces in it, it is convenient to store the chess pieces to avoid losing the chess pieces.
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| Product as described in 2024 | Chess.com’s description |
|---|---|
| Build Box | DIY toys for children ages 8–12 |
| Hack Pack | A robot-in-a-box kit for teens and adults |
These are the descriptions Chess.com used in its 2024 announcement, not confirmation of the products’ current names, contents, availability, or age guidance. The announcement does not provide enough information to compare their prices, subscription cadence, shipping, or suitability for a particular person.
How could fans follow the event?
Chess.com named Chess.com/TV, Twitch, and YouTube as broadcast destinations for the 2024 event. These were options for following that tournament at the time; the announcement does not establish current streams or a present-day viewing schedule.
Rank #3
- Product Dimensions: 12.6x12.13x0.9 inches (32x30.8x2.3 cm); Game area: 8.8x8.8 inches(22.5x22.5 cm); Each square: 1.1 inches (28x28mm). King height: 2 in. Package list: Electronic chess board, 34 pieces (with extra double queen), two drawstring storage bags, manual, charger cable.
- Electronic Chess Board: Built-in AI intelligent algorithms, with 1-18 levels for beginners to intermediate players. Play against the computer or a friend, and challenge yourself anytime. The P6 Chess Computer supports up to 1700 ELO.
- Smart Chess Board: Offers three modes: Training for beginners and kids, Match for improving skills with the device, and Human for two-player games with friends or family. Enjoy leisure time and choose the mode that suits your practice needs.
- Learn Chess: The P6 features 200 puzzles to enhance your skills. Training mode offers light prompts and voice announcements for each move. Press the '?' button for hints when needed, making learning and playing chess easier.
- Strong Magnetic Chess Pieces: Features strong magnetic adsorption, keeping pieces secure even when shaken. Move them easily without worry, whether at home or on the go.
What the partnership does—and does not—confirm
The announcement establishes a tournament sponsorship and fan-facing activations: a themed chess bot, broadcasts, and a limited subscription promotion. It does not disclose the detailed terms of the CrunchLabs arrangement or establish an affiliate program. Chess.com’s general partnership page describes formats such as event naming rights, broadcast placements, fan engagement, social campaigns, partner integrations, and performance campaigns, but those general options do not confirm which terms CrunchLabs received. That page, updated January 31, 2024, also published Chess.com audience figures of 155+ million registered users, 50+ million monthly active users, 260 days of chess broadcasting per year, and 1+ billion games played per month; these are dated figures stated by Chess.com, not current metrics.
For the event details and historical offer, see Chess.com’s announcement and its 2024 rulebook. The bot’s profile is listed on Chess.com, while broader sponsorship formats appear on Chess.com’s partner page.
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- ♟️AI TRAINING & GAME ANALYSIS VIA CHESSNUT APP - Practice against AI with adjustable difficulty, review positions, and analyze completed games through the Chessnut App. A practical choice for beginners building habits and experienced players sharpening tactics.
- 🎯OTB CHESS GAME RECORDING - Use Chessnut Air for face-to-face over-the-board games and store up to 20 games for later review or export.
- ✈️COMPACT ELECTRONIC CHESS SET - The 13 x 13 x 0.7 in board offers a clean, classic look with hidden LEDs, while the 2.7 in king height keeps the set comfortable for desk, home, club, or travel play.
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