FAST AND LOOSE CULTURE OF ESPORTS IS UPENDING ONCE STAID WORLD OF CHESS
Fast-and-loose Culture Of Esports Is Upending Once Staid World Of Chess Alexandra Botez was sitting in her apartment on a recent Friday in front of three computer monitors, a webcam and a microphone — and losing at chess. Alexandra Botez was sitting in her apartment on a recent Friday in front of three computer monitors, a webcam and a microphone — and losing at chess. “This is not looking good, but this guy is not very fast,” Botez said. “He’s not good or fast, so hopefully we’re going to win this game.” Botez, 24, is good and fast. She holds the title of Woman FIDE Master, was the first female president of the Stanford University Chess Club and remains one of the best players in Canada. And under normal circumstances, she probably wouldn’t be losing to her anonymous online opponent. But on the monitor to her right, Botez was also talking to more than 1,000 viewers who were watching the game as she offered a mix of live commentary, trash talk and thanks to the view...