Chess, the classic game of strategy, has long been a proving ground for artificial intelligence. At Google, we’ve achieved breakthroughs in AI with programs like AlphaZero — a single system that taught itself, from scratch, how to master chess — demonstrating AI’s ability to find creative solutions in complex scenarios.

The methods we’ve developed and refined through games like chess have also led to real-world results. For example, we’ve applied similar techniques to predict protein structures with AlphaFold, accelerate mathematical research with AlphaProof and even discover entirely new algorithms with AlphaDev. This ongoing exchange between chess and AI fuels our passion for the game and its enduring impact on the field.

Now, with Google as the title sponsor of the World Chess Championship, we’re celebrating this timeless game with a range of new experiences worldwide.

1. Take chess beyond the board with a historical deep dive