Women’s Grandmaster Dina Belenkaya and streamer Emily, known online as “Emily Plays Chess,” hosted a long-form interview with Alexandra Botez, one of the most recognized figures in modern chess content creation. The discussion covered the relationship between content creators and professional players, the business behind the BotezLive brand, and Botez’s views on the future of chess.
Creators and Players: Shifting Dynamics
A central part of the interview addressed the evolving relationship between chess creators and competitive professionals. Botez explained that chess is no longer defined only by tournament play, as creators now play a crucial role in attracting audiences and generating attention. She noted that this balance is especially important for new formats such as Freestyle Chess, which rely on both top players and creators to reach a wide audience.
Belenkaya described the divide that has sometimes existed between the two groups. She stated at the beginning of the conversation, “I literally got kicked out of the Olympic team of my country,” referring to an incident she attributed to conflicts between her work as a creator and her status as a professional player. Botez added that she has experienced similar hostility, saying, “I have never been more disrespected as a creator than I have in the professional chess world.”
Despite these challenges, both Botez and the hosts agreed that the situation has improved in recent years. Five or six years ago, according to them, players often mocked or dismissed creators. Today, organizers of major events increasingly build media opportunities into their schedules, including dedicated days for creators to interact with top players. This change, they said, reflects an acknowledgment that content production supports the growth of chess as a whole.
Expansion of the BotezLive Brand
The interview then turned to the development of the BotezLive brand, which Alexandra runs with her younger sister Andrea. Originally centered on streaming chess games, the brand has grown into a broader media and entertainment business. Botez confirmed that she no longer streams full-time and is focusing on other projects.
Among those projects is a podcast co-hosted with Andrea and a chess-inspired video game titled Project Checkmate. The game is designed to connect with audiences beyond traditional chess players, particularly those from the gaming community. For Botez, this is part of a deliberate strategy to diversify the brand’s reach and reduce dependence on a single platform.
The hosts jokingly referred to the sisters as “the Kardashians of chess,” a label that Botez accepted, noting that it reflected their efforts to expand their presence across different industries. She explained that branching out from chess content is a way to secure long-term growth and appeal to varied audiences.
The interview also gave insight into the sisters’ working relationship. Botez described it as “fiery,” acknowledging that they argue often but also resolve conflicts quickly. She said Andrea is not only a business partner but also her closest friend, and their ability to maintain a productive partnership over five years demonstrates the strength of their bond.
Outlook on the Future of Chess
On the broader question of where chess is heading, Botez offered a measured assessment. She noted that chess continues to gain in popularity but does not expect another rapid surge like the one seen after the release of The Queen’s Gambit in 2020. Instead, she predicted steady growth, interrupted occasionally by cultural moments that create temporary spikes in attention.
She also expressed support for innovation in the chess world. Alongside her own video game initiative, she mentioned Hans Niemann’s Endgame.ai platform as an example of efforts to expand chess’s digital presence. At the same time, she acknowledged the challenges of competing with established platforms such as Chess.com and Lichess, which dominate online play with their large communities.
Personal Experiences and Challenges
The interview concluded with personal reflections. Botez spoke about the difficulties of navigating life as a public figure, saying that individual negative comments do not affect her but that larger episodes of online criticism, particularly when based on false claims, have been difficult to handle.
She also described the role chess has played in her personal life, calling it a source of stability during difficult periods. According to her, the game provided focus during “darkest times” and remains deeply tied to her identity, regardless of her expansion into other ventures.
Conclusion
The conversation provided a detailed picture of Alexandra Botez’s perspective on the current chess ecosystem. It highlighted the continuing, and sometimes uneasy, integration of content creation with professional chess, the growing business of BotezLive, and her expectations for the game’s future.
I’m a passionate board game enthusiast and a skilled player in chess, xiangqi and Go. Words for Attacking Chess since 2023. Ping me at Lichess for a game or chat.
