CircleChess
 | |
| Industry | Chess education, Artificial intelligence, E-learning |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2023 |
| Founders | Kumar Gaurav, Swati Agrawal |
| Headquarters | |
Key people | Vishnu Prasanna (Chief Chess Officer), Akash Ganesan (VP of Chess and Content) |
| Website | https://circlechess.com/ |
CircleChess is an Indian technology company specializing in chess education and tournament management through artificial intelligence (AI). Established in 2023, the company provides AI-powered coaching tools, live online instruction, and digital infrastructure for managing chess tournaments. It aims to make structured chess learning more accessible for players of all levels through a combination of technology and professional mentorship.
History
CircleChess was founded in 2023 by Kumar Gaurav and Swati Agrawal. The company began by developing a chess assistant powered by AI on the WhatsApp platform. This assistant delivered personalized game analysis to help players identify mistakes and improve strategically. The success of this tool led to the launch of the Caissa AI Coach, CircleChess’s primary learning platform.[1]
As the platform grew, CircleChess expanded into structured chess education and tournament management, forming collaborations with grandmasters and chess organizations.[2]
Products and Services
Caissa AI Coach
The Caissa AI Coach is a machine learning-powered platform designed to assess individual chess games and provide customized feedback. It offers game review, tactical exercises, and strategic insights that mimic the approach of a human coach. The tool has been used by players at beginner and advanced levels.[3]
Caissa School of Chess
The Caissa School of Chess, operated by CircleChess, offers live online instruction delivered by experienced coaches including GM Akash Ganesan and GM Vishnu Prasanna. The curriculum includes structured lesson plans tailored to different levels, ranging from foundational courses to advanced strategy and endgame theory. Notably, the platform also features sessions with Super Grandmasters.[4]
Tournament Management
CircleChess hosts and manages several online and offline chess tournaments, including the CircleChess Rapid Rating Open and Bullet Bash series. The company also provides a digital backend for tournament registration, pairings, and results, supporting both small and large-scale chess events.[5]
Sponsorships and Events
In 2024, CircleChess became the title sponsor of the "American Gambits" franchise in the Global Chess League, demonstrating the company’s interest in promoting competitive chess at the professional level.[6]
Notable Tournaments
The Bullet Bash series is a recurring fast-paced online chess tournament organized by CircleChess. It features short time formats and has drawn participation from players across India and abroad. The third edition offered a prize pool of ₹1.1 lakh (~US$1,300) and included live commentary and media coverage.[7]
Partnerships
CircleChess has formed collaborations with top chess professionals including GM Gukesh Dommaraju, who acts as an advisor and ambassador. The platform also works with Chess.com on tournament-related initiatives.[8]
Recognition
CircleChess has been featured in various Indian media outlets for its integration of artificial intelligence into chess coaching and for expanding access to quality chess education. Coverage by The Hindu, ChessBase India, and Business Standard has noted its contribution to modernizing chess training infrastructure.
External links
References
- ^ "CircleChess Introduces AI Chess Coach made in India". Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ "Making a wise move: Bengaluru start-up marries tech and chess". Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ "Renowned global coaches join hands to build the world's first AI chess coach". Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ "CircleChess launches Caissa School of Chess to nurture chess talents". Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ "Gaurang Bagwe clinches 12th CircleChess Rapid Rating Open". Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ "CircleChess becomes title sponsor for American Gambits ahead of GCL Season 2". Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ "CircleChess Bullet Bash 3.0 Concludes in Dramatic Fashion". Retrieved 2025-04-16.
- ^ "CircleChess onboards Gukesh to transform the chess learning ecosystem". Retrieved 2025-04-16.