Chess.com is excited to announce that the 2022 Puzzle Battle World Championship starts on January 6 at 9 a.m. PST/18:00 CET. In this electrifying event, 16 of the world’s fastest tactical experts will battle for their share of the $25,000 prize fund and the title of the sharpest player on the planet!

Among the confirmed players is the puzzle specialist GM Ray Robson, who will be defending his title. The American won last year’s event after defeating GM Eric Hansen, GM Hikaru Nakamura, and finalist FM Dimitrios Ladopoulos. All eyes will be on Robson as he tries to repeat his stunning performance to keep his crown for the third consecutive year.

Also joining the action will be GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, who is also among the fastest puzzle-solvers in the world. The Frenchman played a close match against Nakamura in the event’s last edition and wants to win his first title in 2022.

Other confirmed players include the dazzlingly-fast GM Daniel Naroditsky and world number-nine GM Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. Five other players will also join the event after qualifying through a special Chess Played Quick: Puzzles Edition event happening on January 5. Tune in to Chess.com/TV or to our Twitch and YouTube channels to enjoy every second of this fast-paced event!

Do you think Ray Robson will keep his title, or will some of the other players take over his throne? Let us know in the comment section below!