Chess Print Publishers Merge To Create Independent Powerhouse, Chess.com Gains Digital Rights (2024)

Chess.com’s print publishing operations, comprising of New in Chess and Everyman Chess are splitting off from Chess.com and merging with Quality Chess to create a group of strong and independent print publishing companies. The New in Chess magazine will see no major changes, while lots of digital content by the three publishers will continue to be available on Chessable and Chess.com.

The significant deal in the chess world, unveiled on Monday, involves the transfer of operations, existing assets, and intellectual property related to print rights, liabilities, and employees of the two brands to chess publishing company Quality Chess. In exchange, Chessable, owned by Chess.com, has acquired the digital rights of Quality Chess' extensive catalog of over 200 titles. Chessable will keep the rights related to the digital content of New in Chess and Everyman.

Dmitri Shneider, Chess.com's Vice President of Global Operations, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration: “Quality Chess’ content is very highly regarded by the chess community and we look forward to expanding our Quality Chess offerings on Chessable, as well as on Chess.com itself, in the foreseeable future.”

Quality Chess’ content is very highly regarded by the chess community and we look forward to expanding our Quality Chess offerings on Chessable, as well as on Chess.com itself, in the foreseeable future.

—Dmitri Shneider, Chess.com VP of Global Operations

The three publishing houses will be owned by the CEO of Quality Chess, GM Jacob Aagaard, but operate as separate businesses. He said: "New in Chess will continue much as it has. It is not clear if we will be able to carry the Everyman brand forward, as the trademark is leased from Random House, but even if under a different name, there will still be a publisher aiming at club players and those who are new to chess in the future."

New in Chess is the world's leading chess magazine with readers in 116 countries. Based in the Netherlands, the print magazine comes out eight times yearly and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It also boasts a catalog of more than 200 books with award-winning authors and titles.

Everyman Chess, renowned as a leading chess book and ebook publisher, boasts a portfolio of 500 books and contributions from 140 authors. Both New in Chess and Everyman were brands acquired by the Play Magnus Group in early 2021, and became a part of Chess.com following its acquisition of the group in December 2022.

Shneider noted that the creation of the new combined print company allows Chess.com and Squared Thinking Group, the parent company of Quality Chess, to focus on their respective strengths to better serve the chess community and grow the game. "While Chess.com has great respect for the New in Chess and Everyman print publishing businesses, we lacked sufficient expertise to properly support them."

While Chess.com has great respect for the New in Chess and Everyman print publishing businesses, we lacked sufficient expertise to properly support them.

—Dmitri Shneider, Chess.com VP of Global Operations

He also emphasized that the deal is appealing for the chess community, as it ensures there will now be a fully independent company dedicated to covering chess events with a unique editorial perspective. "We value that New in Chess will continue to offer its distinctive insights and maintain its independent voice in the chess world."

Chess.com will now be able to dedicate more time and resources to expanding its digital initiatives. New video content based on Quality Chess books is set to be released by acclaimed grandmasters such as Axel Smith, Peter Heine Nielsen, Sam Shankland and Artur Jussupow within the next few weeks.