What is chess betting?
Although considered a novelty betting market, the
best UK bookmakers
will look to offer punters the chance to bet on the latest chess matches and tournaments.
The objective of the game itself is to move your pieces (king, queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns) around the 64-square board in the hopes of capturing the opponent's king (checkmate). Every decision leads up to this moment, which is exactly why watching, playing, and betting on chess can be so exciting.
You will rarely find a bonus for chess directly; however, a general sports betting promotion may be eligible for use across specific chess markets. At the highest level, chess games and tournaments are incredibly close to call, so it is important to do your research before finalizing your selections.
What markets are available to bet on chess?
Now you understand what is meant by the term
chess betting, let us take a closer look at the available markets you can expect to find at the very best chess betting sites.
Match winners
As you would expect, all chess betting sites allow you to bet on the outright winner of a match. This straightforward bet can often be called a 1X2, but you may also find that your chosen site allows you to bet on the winner of two or three rounds.
Will Armageddon be played?
This simple bet allows you to wager on whether
Armageddon
will be played or not. When playing chess, Armageddon chess follows the same rules as any regular singular or tournament game of chess except for two specific rules that directly affect
Black.
Firstly, Black has draw odds, meaning that if the game ends in a draw, Black will win. Due to this rule, Black will start with less time on the clock.
Tournament winners
Alongside the chance to bet on single betting outcomes, you’ll be free to bet on outright tournament winners. As the prospect of predicting the outcome is far more difficult than a simple 1X2, you’ll find that the chess betting odds are often more favourable. The three main chess competitions include the
Chess World Championship,
the
Chess Tour, and
Chess Olympiad.
Before making your pick, we suggest reviewing all potential competitors, current form, and possible match-ups.
📅 The first recognised World Chess Championship was in 1886
♟️ Magnus Carlsen declined to defend his title in 2023 after a decade as undisputed champion
Did you know _____ about chess?
- Playing chess regularly has been proven to improve cognitive health and memory function.
- In Armenia, chess is taken incredibly seriously. So much so, in fact, that it is considered a part of the school curriculum.
- “Check mate” comes from the Persian phrase “Sha Mat”, meaning “the King is dead”.
DECIDING A NEW WORLD CHAMPION: Ding vs. Nepomniachtchi - Tiebreaks | FIDE World Championship 2023
Past undisputed world champions
| Name | Year |
| Vladimir Kramnik | 2006-2007 |
| Viswanathan Anand | 2007-2013 |
| Magnus Carlsen | 2013-2023 |
| Ding Liren | 2023-Present |
Our best betting sites
1.
Bet now
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.
2.
£25 Free Bet
+ 25 Free Spins
Bet now
New UK/IE customers only. Sign up and place your first sports bet at offs of Events (2.0) or greater and if it loses, get a free bet equivalent to 50% of your first bet stake (min £10), to a maximum value of £25 plus 25 free spins on Gold Horsey Winner. Full T&Cs apply. 18+ / BeGambleAware.org
3.
£20 Back-Up Bet as Free Bet
Bet now
Min deposit £10, Max stake £10, Min Odds 1/1 (2.0); Max free bet £10; New players only
4.
Bet £10 Get £30 Surprise Bet
Bet now
New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Qualifying real money bet of £10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer awarded immediately but could be issued the next working day in exceptional circumstances such as technical fault. Additional T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
5.
100% Profit Boost up to £100
Bet now
New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via ‘My Offers’ page within 30 days. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play, min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max. extra winnings £100. Once claimed, 30-day expiry. Cashed out, System & EW bets do not qualify. Other Promotional Play Restrictions Apply. T&Cs apply.
Things to consider when online chess betting
While you may not find the most extensive range of markets or coverage of chess, the best chess betting sites will ensure that you can still place a bet on the most prestigious competitions and head-to-heads. In this next section, we provide three top tips to consider before setting your stakes.
📈
Check out the best chess betting odds
When it comes to giving your chess betting the best possible head start, you’ll want to consider reviewing the
best UK bookmaker odds. As the odds provide the foundation to your bets, you’ll want to ensure you’ve found yourself a chess betting site that offers top odds before making your deposit.
📖
Review previous form and tournament format
Although chess betting can be considered a bit of a
novelty betting
market, you still need to do your research. Before risking your deposit, we suggest taking time to review the form of each participant when placing your in-play or singular bets. Of course, the tournament format and potential match-ups further down the line are worth reviewing when betting on the tournament winners, too.
❌
Consider betting on
Armageddon
when two players are too close to call
Chess is a game of strategy, that’s a fact. Due to that, the very best players can often be too closely ranked/skilled to call an outright winner. If this runs true and the game is tied, participants will look to bid on time for a colour. Generally, they will bid for Black in the hopes of securing draw odds for the final match – this way an outright winner is guaranteed. Perhaps this should have been considered back in 1989, when a four-day and 269-move match between Ivan Nikolic of Yugoslavia and Goran Arsovic of Serbia took place.
Join the best chess betting sites today
Betting on chess adds another layer to the overall experience, allowing you to put your own knowledge to the test and predict the end result. Every move can quickly alter the outcome of a match, tournament, or competition, so you’ll want to make sure you find a site that offers great in-play odds, too.
Over at betting.co.uk, we’ve been busy reviewing the best chess betting sites around. Although fewer in number, we’ve found some fantastic spots to help you get the best odds and bonuses to help boost your experience betting on outright winners, Armageddon, and
Chess World Championship
outrights.
Chess Betting Pros and Cons
- Regular tournaments to choose from
- A selection of outright and individual match markets
- Odds are only available a few weeks of the year
Our best betting offers right now
1.
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply.
2.
£25 Free Bet
+ 25 Free Spins
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: £10
New UK/IE customers only. Sign up and place your first sports bet at offs of Events (2.0) or greater and if it loses, get a free bet equivalent to 50% of your first bet stake (min £10), to a maximum value of £25 plus 25 free spins on Gold Horsey Winner. Full T&Cs apply. 18+ / BeGambleAware.org
3.
£20 Back-Up Bet as Free Bet
Min. Deposit: £10
Min deposit £10, Max stake £10, Min Odds 1/1 (2.0); Max free bet £10; New players only
4.
Bet £10 Get £30 Surprise Bet
Min. Deposit: £10
New customers & 18+ only. Min. deposit of £10. Qualifying real money bet of £10. Min odds greater than or equal to 1.5 required. E/W bets excluded. Offer awarded immediately but could be issued the next working day in exceptional circumstances such as technical fault. Additional T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly.
5.
100% Profit Boost up to £100
Min. Deposit: £10
New reg only. Claim by placing a min deposit £10 via ‘My Offers’ page within 30 days. 7 days to stake max £10 in-play, min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max. extra winnings £100. Once claimed, 30-day expiry. Cashed out, System & EW bets do not qualify. Other Promotional Play Restrictions Apply. T&Cs apply.
Chess Betting FAQ
📱
How do I bet on chess in the UK?
Over at betting.co.uk, we’ve been busy creating reviews on the best chess betting sites today. You can learn more about chess betting in this guide before letting us help you find your perfect destination.
🌟
Can I use a bonus when betting on chess?
While it is unlikely to find a chess betting bonus, the prospect of using a bonus isn’t completely out of the question. Find out more in this latest chess betting guide.
❓
Is chess betting popular?
The best chess betting sites will provide fair coverage of the biggest tournaments and head-to-heads. While it may not draw in the same crowds as the FA Cup final, you’ll still find opportunities available.
