The online chess platform has introduced a free-to-play poker site and is developing additional classic games using AI-assisted development.
Key facts
- •Gambit is a free-to-play poker site that excludes real-money gambling to focus on player education.
- •Chess.com plans to expand into additional classic games, including go, backgammon, and mahjong.
- •The development team used AI to accelerate coding and apply consistent design patterns from Chess.com to the new platform.
- •Gambit features an Elo-style rating system designed to encourage player improvement and support a premium subscription model.
- •The Gambit Cup is scheduled to be livestreamed on Twitch and YouTube on August 31st at 12PM ET.
Chess.com has launched a free online poker website called Gambit, marking its first expansion beyond chess in nearly 20 years. The site, which entered beta in May, focuses on learning and social play without real-money gambling. Chess.com is now planning to develop similar platforms for other classic games, including go, backgammon, and mahjong, utilizing an Elo-style rating system to drive user engagement and premium subscriptions.
Platform Features and Business Model
Gambit mirrors the design and functionality of Chess.com, offering bot matches, tournaments, and game review modes. According to Chief Growth Officer Albert Cheng, the site excludes real-money gambling to prioritize a learning-focused environment. The platform utilizes an Elo-style rating system to motivate players, which also serves as the foundation for a premium subscription model similar to that of Chess.com, providing users with unlimited access to lessons and advanced analytical tools.
Role of AI in Development
The expansion into new games was facilitated by the use of AI, which allowed a small team to build Gambit from prototype to launch within one year. Cheng noted that AI was primarily used for coding tasks, enabling the team to apply existing design patterns and codebases to new platforms efficiently. While AI helped accelerate development, Cheng stated that the current version of Gambit contains little to no AI-generated assets, emphasizing that the technology serves as a tool to support human design rather than replace it.
Future Game Expansions
Following the launch of Gambit, Chess.com is actively developing sites for other classic games characterized by long-term durability and strong community followings. Development on these projects is reportedly moving rapidly. To promote the new poker platform, the company is increasing its focus on community engagement, including a scheduled livestreamed event, the Gambit Cup, featuring co-founder Danny Rensch and content creator Alexandra Botez.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Verge.
