Trustworthy Chess Betting Sites in India
Ready to test your chess skills with a bit of added excitement? If so, you’re in luck!
There are plenty of chess betting sites available in India that offer safe and secure betting.
We’ve done the leg work for you and compiled a list of India’s top chess betting sites.
Keep scrolling to discover the best ones!
Is Chess Betting Legal in India?
Chess is considered a game of skill and, thus, is not illegal in India.
You can bet freely and don’t have to worry about being punished.
However, you’ll have to be careful about the online bookmaker you’re choosing for betting.
If you’re not sure which online betting sites are safe, you can check out our betting lists.
We tested and reviewed the safest bookmakers in India to save you some time.
Where to Bet on Chess
Since chess is a very niche sport, not many online sportsbooks offer betting on it. However, we found the ones that do, and tested them.
We’ll share our experience.
1xBet: Best for Long-Term Bets
If you’re a fan of chess betting, you’ll love 1xBet.
Besides placing regular bets on the match winner, double chance, or handicaps, you can also enjoy live betting and long-term bets.
You can also check results for past matches!
This can be very useful for analyzing players and their game so that you can place a more informed bet.
To further enhance your betting experience, 1xBet also offers a variety of sports bonuses. You can use the loyalty bonus, accumulators, cashback, birthday bonus, and more.
Brands like Betway, 22Bet, and Parimatch used to offer betting on chess, but they currently don’t have it in their sportsbooks.
Stay tuned because we will add reviews on them as soon as they reintroduce chess betting.
How to Bet on Chess Online
If you’re looking to bet on chess online, you only need a reliable chess betting site like the ones we reviewed.
To get started, simply:
- Create a betting account
- Make a deposit using one of the many payment options available
- Take advantage of bonuses and promotions, and you can start placing bets on chess matches worldwide!
The Most Popular Chess Betting Markets
The available betting markets will vary from one sportsbook to another.
The most popular chess betting markets include the final score, match winner, and Magnus Carlsen vs the field.
Here’s what you can expect if you choose 1xBet:
But the other betting markets you might encounter also include:
Outright
Usually available before the start of chess tournaments, outright markets offer you the chance to bet on who will win the tournament overall.
Final Score
Another popular chess betting market is the final score market.
This involves predicting the exact score of a chess match, with various points being awarded for each correct prediction.
Match Winner
The match-winner market involves predicting who will win a chess game, with higher odds available for higher-ranked chess players.
Opening Move
You can also bet on the first move of chess games.
This involves predicting which chess piece a player will choose to start with, with each chess piece carrying different odds.
Number of Moves
You can also bet on the total number of chess moves that will be made in a game.
Again, higher odds are available for predicting more chess moves than expected.
Magnus Carlsen vs. the Field
Magnus Carlsen is a chess player who is challenging to defeat.
So, anytime he plays a match, bookmakers will only give you two options: back him or bet against him.
It’s typically Carlsen against any other player, so your choice will determine who you think will win the match.
Chess Tournaments to Bet On
Many chess tournaments are happening throughout the year.
The most important ones, which are also great betting opportunities, include events like the Grand Chess Tour, World Championship, and the Chess Olympiad.
Chess Olympiad
Chess Olympiad is an international competition happening every two years.
All valid members of the World Chess Organisation (known by its French acronym — FIDE) can qualify to compete in the Chess Olympiad.
Each team has five players and one backup, fighting for the Hamilton-Russell Cup.
The 44th Chess Olympiad was held in Chennai, India, in 2022, when Uzbekistan took the cup and will hold it until the next championship, planned for 2024.
World Rapid Chess Championship
The World Rapid Chess Championship is a yearly tournament determining the fastest chess player.
There were some changes in the time controls over the years, but according to the current rules set by the FIDE, each player is given 15 minutes per game, with 10 additional seconds after every move.
The speed of the games makes it very exciting to bet on.
Last year’s World Rapid Chess Championship was held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where the legendary Magnus Carlsen took the title.
He’s also the player with the most wins in World Rapid Chess Championships — four!
World Chess Championship
The World Chess Championship is maybe one of the oldest chess tournaments, considering it started in 1886.
The tournament is held every two years, but since the 2020 Championship had to be pushed to 2021 because of COVID, the next match should be held this year.
There are four stages of the tournament:
- Regional tournaments for players to qualify for the qualification tournaments.
- Candidates qualification tournaments for players to qualify for the next stage.
- Candidates tournament for players to qualify for the final stage. In this stage, eight players are chosen as challengers and move on to the final stage.
- The championship match is when the challengers play against the champion.
Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has been a champion since 2013.
However, as FIDE reports, he decided not to defend his title again, so Ian Nepomniachtchi and Ding Liren, the two top finishers after Carlsen, will be defending the title.
Grand Chess Tour
The Grand Chess Tour (GCT) is a relatively new chess tournament that started in 2015.
Every year, the GST invites the top ten chess players from the FIDE’s ranking list.
The players participate in different tournaments, competing for prize pools.
The London Chess Classic and Norway Chess are some of the tournaments included in the GCT.
Last year’s prize pool for the entire GST circuit was over $1.2 million (approximately ₹99,373,140 at the time of writing).
France’s Alirezja Firouza is the current champion.
Chess Betting Strategy and Tips
When betting on chess, it’s important to have a solid strategy in place.
Before you place any bets, make sure you do your research and understand all the terms surrounding chess tournaments.
Familiarize yourself with chess rules, tournament formats, and regulations beforehand so that you know what to expect from each chess match.
Here are some tips that can help you when placing chess bets:
Check the Players’ History
Checking the chess players’ history is an important part of betting on chess.
Look for players who have been successful in recent tournaments, as well as those with a good track record against their opponents.
Research Chess Moves
Researching chess moves can be tricky but can pay off in the long run.
Look for patterns that chess players use and try to predict which moves they are likely to make.
This will help you gain an edge when betting on chess matches.
Look at the Game Setup
It’s also important to look at the game setup before placing a bet.
Check out the board size, number of pieces, and other variables such as time control and opening moves.
All these elements play into how a chess match plays out.
Check the ELO Rankings
ELO rankings are a great tool to use when selecting chess betting sites in India.
ELO rankings measure chess players’ strength relative to one another.
The higher their ranking, the better their chances of success.
Make sure to check out these rankings before choosing who to bet on.
Pay Attention to Potential Ties
Chess is a game where ties are possible, and it’s important to pay attention to this so you don’t lose out on your bet.
Make sure to check if the bookmaker offers any type of tie bet or allows partial refunds if the match ends in a draw.
This can be helpful in ensuring that you don’t end up losing money due to an unexpected outcome.
Know When to Stop
You should approach chess betting, as any other form of betting — with caution.
Once you’ve found a chess betting site that works for you and perhaps even won some money, remember to know when it’s time to stop.
Before placing bets, always set yourself a limit and stick to it.
This will help you prevent overspending and ensure that chess betting remains an enjoyable activity rather than something that can leave you in debt.
FAQs
Are there bonuses for chess betting?
Yes, some chess betting sites offer bonuses for new players. Be sure to read the bonus terms and conditions before taking up any offers, as there may be wagering requirements in order for you to withdraw your winnings.
Where can I bet on chess?
Chess, much like badminton or UFC, for example, is a niche sport, so it’s not available on all onlinebetting sites. If you don’t want to waste your time looking for an online sportsbook that offers ches betting, you can check out our lists, since we did the leg work for you.
Can you earn money betting on chess?
Yes, you can earn money betting on chess. However, it’s important to remember that betting involves risk and you should never bet more than you can afford to lose.
Can you bet on chess online?
Yes, you can bet on chess online, but make sure you do so at a reputable betting site. Our team tested and reviewed the safest online sportsbooks, so please check our betting lists if you’re not sure which one to choose.
Do all bookmakers offer betting on chess?
No, not all sports betting sites offer betting on chess. We did very detailed research to find, test, and review the best ones, so that you don’t have to.
When do chess tournaments take place?
Chess tournaments take place around the year, with qualification usually taking place at the beginning of the year, and the major tournaments in the second half of the year. We’ll be updating this page with the dates for the most relevant tournaments, so make sure to bookmark it and keep checking it regularly.
