Chess is an ancient board game of logic, dating back more than a thousand and a half years in India, known as “Chaturanga”. It involves two players on a 64-cell board, playing either white or black pieces. The game ends when one player checkmates the other’s king, when time runs out, when one player surrenders, or when both players agree to a draw. While not as popular as football or hockey, chess still attracts a lot of attention, and major tournaments continue to be held. Bookmakers also accept bets on chess tournaments, with Magnus Carlsen, the 16th world chess champion, currently holding the title since 2013.
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Types of chess betting
In some bookmakers’ offices it is possible to bet on the total number of moves in a game, on whether the championship will end with special extra games (rapid chess, blitz chess, armageddon chess).
However, more specific outcomes are also available for chess betting.
For instance, you can bet on White or Black victory (“P1” or “P2”), which is a traditional type of betting on the main outcomes of a competition. Betting on a draw is also an option among the main outcome bets.
There’s also the double odds (1x or 2x) option, which is preferred by more cautious players. Such bets imply that a particular opponent will at least avoid losing the game, either by winning or ending the game in a draw.
Zero handicap is the only option for handicaps in chess betting since there is no score. Betting with a handicap of 0 means the specified participant will at least avoid defeat, but if the game ends in a draw, the bet with zero handicap is returned, while a bet on double outcome results in a win. Some bookmakers also offer long-term chess bets, such as predicting the victory of a certain athlete in the entire tournament, not just a particular match.
Chess betting strategy
There is no “win-win” strategy in chess like in any other sport. But there are specifics that, with the right analysis, can be used to your advantage.
1. Chess Catch-up Strategy
It is this strategy that is most suitable for chess tournaments. Chess is one of the few sports where it is extremely rare for any prolonged series of players to occur.
- Example: If an athlete loses 2-3 games, it is possible to catch up with a draw by 1-3 times. But it is worth remembering that the catch-up strategy is one of the riskiest.
2. Betting on a draw
In chess, draws involving grandmasters occur much more often than outcomes on the victory of one of the athletes. In this case a backing on one of the players with a zero handicap works well.
- Example: In a White vs Black match you take the White victory with a handicap of 0. If the match ends in a draw, the bookmaker will calculate a bet refund.
Is it possible to win regularly by betting on chess?
As we have previously mentioned, there is no guaranteed winning strategy in chess or any other sport. To minimize risks, it is important to have a good understanding of the specific sport on which you plan to bet.
Chess is a unique game that requires knowledge of not only the rules, but also the psychological state of the players, their habits, and even the weather conditions. The well-being of a grandmaster can be negatively affected by bad weather, and chess is a logical game that requires intense concentration.
By possessing the necessary information, keeping track of tournaments, and following the chess world, you can significantly increase your chances of winning. Good luck!