k-chess.com is named after one of the greatest chess players of all time—Garry Kasparov.
Launched in 2021 as a partnership between the media giant Vivendi and Garry Kasparov, it aims to position itself as a leading chess website, similar to Lichess and Chess.com.
However, rather than focusing solely on being a place to play, it has now positioned itself as a “masterclass” platform.
This article is a comprehensive review of the platform features and how to use them to the fullest.
Thoughts on First Glance
With top-of-the-line video production quality coupled with a structured learning path, it has all the bells and whistles any chess enthusiast would appreciate.
When you first open KasparovChess, you will immediately notice the neat interface.
With its sleek, modern design, navigating the website is a breeze.
The Site
Getting into the technical aspect, the navigation menu has three options:
- Learn
- Article
- Chess Programs
That is all. The individual page links to all the features on the website.
Right from the start, it’s clear that they are not trying to compete with major chess websites.
Kasparov Chess is simply doing its own thing, providing a premium learning experience to chess players.
The Core Features and Experience
The prime selling point of KasparovChess remains the cinematic quality. At its core, it feels like a cinema. When compared to utility-packed websites like Lichess and Chess.com, Kasparov feels more like “Netflix for Chess.”
The Masterclass
This is one of the highlight features of KasparovChess.
You can access an exclusive interface of lessons taught by Garry Kasparov himself.
Diving into stories and exclusive content from his chess career, the course covers the chess fundamentals first before touching on topics like “The Attacker’s Advantage,” his greatest game, and also his matches with Anatoly Karpov and “Human and Machines.”
He also touches on other topics, such as his role in The Queen’s Gambit movies and philosophical discussions, including how life imitates chess.
Overall, the masterclass is a gem that every chess player should go through.
Lesson Library
The video lessons are high-production-value documentaries and lessons from top grandmasters like Anish Giri, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Simon Williams.
Touching on topics like openings, middle games, and other crucial chess concepts, it is robust and top-notch in terms of learning value.
Learning Paths
The courses are color-coded by skill level: Beginners, Club, Casual, Advanced, Master, etc.
This feature simplifies the process for new players to select lessons tailored to their skill level, helping them avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Playing Lobby
There used to be an option to play against other players and computers. However, as of 2026, this feature is now discontinued.
This change may have occurred because of fewer players and longer wait times compared to competitors such as Chess.com.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Direct access to the insights from Garry Kasparov, one of the greatest of all time
- Production Value: The highest-quality chess video content available anywhere today.
- Curated Learning: With much less “noise” than other sites, it offers a focused educational path.
Cons
- Lack of a Playing Lobby
- The interface and UI are not optimal, especially for mobile devices.
- Lack of a mobile app
- The Price Tag: Expensive, especially since websites like Chess.com also offer a video library with additional features.
Pricing
The site is free to access, with some trial content available. The premium subscription begins at $13.99 per month. While for the yearly plan, it is about $119.9.
This gives access to the full suite of features, including all lessons and masterclasses.
Tips for Getting Started
The core of the experience is the learning feature with its logical progression. KasparovChess is designed for the structure and clarity of the path.
For entertainment, you can start with the behind-the-scenes films, interviews with Grandmasters, and content about the history of the game.
Is It Worth It?
To answer this, it is crucial to realize what type of chess player you are.
- The Casual Enthusiast/Kasparov Fan: If you want to be entertained and inspired by the game history and insights from top players, the documentaries and Kasparov’s own lessons are worth the cost of a subscription. You will enjoy the entertaining content and learn more about the game.
- The Active Competitor: No, if your goal is to play tons of blitz games and use the strongest engines for analysis. Kasparov Chess does not have a play zone or an analysis feature. You are better off on Lichess (free) or Chess.com (better social/competitive features).
- The Structured Learner: Maybe. KasparovChess is excellent for beginners who find other websites overwhelming. The content is categorized by level of play, making it easier to determine where to begin. For intermediate players, websites like Chessable might offer more value.
K-chess.com vs KasparovChess.com vs Kcfacademy.org
The Kasparov name is associated with many brands and websites.
For clarity,
The platform’s primary domain is K-chess.com, and the brand is widely known as KasparovChess. This is a unique situation since KasparovChess.com redirects to K-chess.com.
A separate website, Kcfacademy.org, not managed by Vivendi but by the Kasparov Chess Foundation, offers structured live training and certification programs.
It is important to note that the two brands exist, each with its own separate services.
Conclusion
Overall, it is a reliable website with a vast library of chess content.
However, justifying the value of money can be hard, especially for active competitors. Purchase it for the lessons, but continue using your Chess.com or Lichess account for playing actual games.