Chess.com is excited to announce a regulation change to our most elite event. The 2022 Rapid Chess Championship is now open to all grandmasters, starting this weekend on May 14!

With this change, more of your favorite players will have the chance to battle in the RCC. The larger field also means more diverse games, more ideas over the board, and more exciting chess encounters!

We’re also happy to unveil the RCC finals format. Four invited players will join the 12 top players with the most Grand Prix points in a double elimination knockout bracket. Players will battle in two-game rapid matches for the Chess.com Rapid Champion title and their share of the $150,000 prize fund in the finals.

With GM Hikaru Nakamura sitting at the top of the standings with 65 points and 120 points still up for grabs, anything can happen in the second half of the event. Tune in to Chess.com/TV, our Twitch channel, or YouTube.com/ChesscomLive to catch the RCC action this weekend!

Who do you hope to see playing in the second half of the RCC? Let us know in the comments below!