Chess.com launched a poker site and is planning even more classic games

Key Points:

• Chess.com has launched Gambit, its first companion site focused on free online poker, designed to help players learn without real-money gambling, emphasizing education and social interaction.
• Gambit mirrors Chess.com's design and features, including bot matches, tournaments, game reviews, and an Elo-style rating system to motivate player improvement and support a subscription-based premium model.
• The company plans to expand into other classic games like go, backgammon, and mahjong, developing similar rating systems and leveraging AI to accelerate development with a small team.
• AI has played a crucial role in speeding up the launch of new platforms by assisting with coding and maintaining design consistency, though Chess.com balances AI use with human input for branding and feature design.
• Gambit is now focusing on community engagement and content creator collaborations, highlighted by its first livestreamed event, the Gambit Cup, scheduled for August 31st on Twitch and YouTube.