Popular chess YouTuber GothamChess is calling on attendees of the Speed Chess Championship to bring copies of his banned book despite event rules. The beginner's guide 'How to Win at Chess' by Levy Rozman has been prohibited from the London tournament. Chess.com has upheld the ban amid an ongoing dispute.
The Speed Chess Championship, a major event with a $250,000 prize pool, is set to begin on February 7 in London. Earlier this month, chess enthusiasts were surprised to learn that 'How to Win at Chess,' a book aimed at beginners by Levy Rozman—better known online as GothamChess—has been banned from the venue. The event's FAQ lists the book alongside prohibited items such as noisemakers, weapons, and illegal substances, barring both physical and digital copies.
Chess.com's chief chess officer, Danny Rensch, addressed the controversy in a statement on X, emphasizing the policy's firmness. "Due to an ongoing dispute, we are unable to comment on this further aside from reiterating that under no circumstances will anyone be permitted into the Speed Chess Championships with a copy of ‘How to Win at Chess’, whether hard copy or digital," Rensch said.
In response, GothamChess has encouraged fans to show solidarity by ignoring the rule. In a post on X, he remarked humorously, "Apparently they think this book is so broken, that people playing like Magnus and Hikaru would benefit from it." He added a direct plea: "I plead with you, please bring your book. Let’s show solidarity and stand up to this nonsense together."
Some observers have speculated that the ban might serve as a publicity stunt, especially with Rozman's upcoming sequel, 'How to Win at Chess, Next Level.' As the event approaches, it remains to be seen how many attendees will heed GothamChess's call and test the enforcement of the unusual prohibition.
