Portals.org and Chess.com Host World’s First Live Chess Tournament Through Portals

To mark International Chess Day, Portals.org and Chess.com have hosted the world’s first live chess tournament played through public Portals, connecting players across borders in real time. The event brought together participants in different cities through life-sized video windows, allowing competitors to face one another as if sharing the same physical space.

Powered by Video Window technology, the Portals enabled an always on video connection throughout the tournament, supporting continuous, unscripted interaction between players and spectators. Video Window’s platform provided the stability and reliability required for live gameplay, ensuring uninterrupted video streams across time zones while maintaining a natural, in-person feel.

The tournament demonstrated a new model for global collaboration, showing how cultural, educational, and sporting events can be reimagined through persistent video presence. By combining Portals.org’s global network, Chess.com’s international chess community, and Video Window’s always-on video infrastructure, the event showcased the potential for shared experiences that transcend geography.