Champions Chess Tour Returns With 2024 BetterHelp Masters

(NEW YORK, April 19) — Chess.com is excited to announce the 2024 BetterHelp Masters—the second leg of this year’s prestigious $1.7 million Champions Chess Tour and an event focused on mental health.

Starting on May 8, the BetterHelp Masters follows the Chessable Masters won by world number-one GM Magnus Carlsen in a thrilling final in February. Its conclusion on May 15 will mark the mid-way point of the flagship Tour’s regular season.

With his victory in the last leg, Carlsen gained direct entry into Division I of the BetterHelp Masters. GM Alireza Firouzja also qualified as runner-up alongside GM Vincent Keymer, who won Division II.
GMs Denis Lazavik, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Levon Aronian, and Alexey Sarana also gained entry to the Division Placement stage of the BetterHelp Masters following their performances in the Chessable Masters. They each have an opportunity to qualify to Division I and a prize pool of $300,000.

The event brings together sporting excellence online and BetterHelp’s market-leading focus on online therapy. The event also marks Mental Health Awareness Month in the U.S. which runs throughout the month of May.

As part of the partnership, BetterHelp will be offering Chess fans 20% off their first month of therapy – to spread the word about mental health support and give more people access to resources. Fans, who are new to BetterHelp, can claim this offer by visiting betterhelp.com/chess.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Chess.com to spread the word about mental health in the pro Chess community,” said Olivier Sinson, Senior Director of Partnership Development at BetterHelp. “Any chess player knows the value of mental strength and resilience, and we hope this partnership will reinforce that understanding across the board.”

Erik Allebest, Chess.com’s CEO added: „Chess teaches us the value of strategic thinking and resilience, essential qualities of personal growth. Partnering with BetterHelp underscores a shared belief in nurturing the mind as the cornerstone of well-being.”

The players will compete for a prize pool of $300,000 and all-important CCT points. The players with the most CCT Points at the end of the regular season’s four online events qualify for the live CCT Finals.

The elite rapid chess event will follow the now-familiar Champions Chess Tour format with 56 players sorted into three divisions. You can find more information on the details here.

The BetterHelp qualifier for non-GM titled players kicks off on May 3 at 11 a.m. ET/17:00 CEST. The event’s Play-in starts on May 8 at 12:30 p.m. ET/18:30 CEST.

You can watch the live broadcast of the 2024 BetterHelp Masters on Chess.com/TV or on our Twitch and YouTube channels.