Breaking Down the World Record for the Most Amount of People Playing Chess at Once

Discovering the History and Achievements of Chess Simultaneous Exhibition Masters

Chess is a game that has fascinated and challenged people for centuries. From casual players to world champions, the game has captured the imagination of millions. But have you ever wondered what the world record is for the most amount of people playing chess at once? In this post, we'll dive into the history of simultaneous chess exhibitions and discover some of the greatest achievements in this unique sport.

Simultaneous Chess Exhibitions

Simultaneous chess exhibitions, also known as "simuls," involve a single chess master playing multiple games at once. The master moves from board to board, making one move at a time, until all the games have been played to completion. Simuls have been a popular way for chess masters to showcase their skills and engage with fans since the 19th century.

One of the earliest recorded simultaneous exhibitions took place in 1858 when American chess player Paul Morphy played 10 games simultaneously in Paris, winning all of them. Since then, the popularity of simuls has grown, and many chess players have attempted to break the world record for the most amount of people playing chess at once.

The World Record

The current world record for the most amount of people playing chess at once was set in 2017 by Iranian Grandmaster Morteza Mahjoob, who played 600 opponents in a 25-hour simul. Mahjoob broke the previous record of 529 players, set by Russian Grandmaster Anatoly Karpov in 2016.

Mahjoob's achievement is a testament to his skill, endurance, and mental fortitude. Playing chess for 25 hours straight is no easy feat, let alone playing against 600 opponents simultaneously. It's a remarkable achievement that highlights the unique nature of simultaneous chess exhibitions.

Simul Legends

Over the years, many chess masters have made their mark in the world of simultaneous exhibitions. One of the most famous is Hungarian-American Grandmaster, Judit Polgár. Polgár is widely considered one of the greatest female chess players of all time, and in 2005 she set a world record by playing 13 simultaneous exhibitions, winning 11, drawing one, and losing one.

Another legend of simuls is Russian Grandmaster Garry Kasparov, who played against 102 opponents simultaneously in 1996, winning 94 games, drawing eight, and losing none. Kasparov's achievement is particularly impressive considering that he played against some of the best chess players in the world at the time.

Conclusion

Chess simultaneous exhibitions are a unique and exciting way for chess masters to showcase their skills and engage with fans. The world record for the most amount of people playing chess at once stands at an impressive 600 opponents, set by Iranian Grandmaster Morteza Mahjoob in 2017. However, Mahjoob is just one of many chess masters who have made their mark in the world of simuls, including Judit Polgár and Garry Kasparov. Chess is a game that continues to inspire and challenge people around the world, and simultaneous exhibitions are a testament to its enduring popularity.