World Chess - London Stock Exchange

[Roger de Coverly]

It was a low profile event in the chess world, but "World Chess", Agon as was, has now listed on the London Stock Exchange.

It was mentioned on the media thread because there was a piece in the Times. That was behind a paywall, but from the headline at least, the writer felt that "World Chess" was a long way behind the market leaders, presumably meaning chess.com and lichess.

Those familiar with shares and Company research can now find out more about this Company.

Here's a typical link of what's available.
https://www.hl.co.uk/shares/shares-sear ... -gbp0.0001

Mind you it may currently cost 8p a share to buy, but if you then sell you get 5p a share back.

Directors are named as
Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer Mr. Ilya Merenzon
Executive Director, Chief Operating Officer Mr. Matvey Shekhovtsov
Non-Executive Director Mr. Jamison Reed Firestone

Obviously we've heard of the first one, being instrumental on promotong chess by trying to prevent the forum and other sites discussing world championship games in real time.

I think Merenzon still has most of the shares.

[Joey Stewart]

Given that agon are the same people who attempted to copyright all games played in their tournaments can you really trust that they will not do something further shady like take millions of shareholder money and then issue billions of new shares to the directors to essentially make all the investors stake worthless.

I'd much rather buy into chess.com if they were available - of all the chess companies I have seen over the years they are one of the few that seem legitimately good at growing the business profitably

[Roger de Coverly]

can you really trust that they will not do something further shady like take millions of shareholder money and then issue billions of new shares to the directors to essentially make all the investors stake worthless.

GIven that they are now listed on the London Stock Exchange, that limits their ability to indulge in dubious practices. It may take however some convincing for the outside world to believe that the Company is worth what subscribing investors have paid for a minority interest.

In the longer run I might expect chess.com to buy them out, as they did with chessbomb and chess24.

[Brendan O'Gorman]

Am I right in thinking their press release claimed over 600 million "active" chess players worldwide?

[Roger de Coverly]

Am I right in thinking their press release claimed over 600 million "active" chess players worldwide?

That statistic does appear.

https://www.londonstockexchange.com/new ... t/15670019

Chess is a global mass participation sport with more than 600 million active players, with numbers increasing due to the growth of online platforms, however it is still much less commercialised than other sports. Market expansion remains in its early stages, and World Chess is well-positioned to take advantage of the sector's growth through online, in-person and hybrid chess events and activities, and by providing complementary product offerings to players, spectators, and partners.

[Ian Thompson]

Mind you it may currently cost 8p a share to buy, but if you then sell you get 5p a share back.

Hopefully, no-one bought them - https://www.hl.co.uk/shares/shares-sear ... -gbp0.0001.

[Roger Lancaster]

I'd much rather buy into chess.com if they were available - of all the chess companies I have seen over the years they are one of the few that seem legitimately good at growing the business profitably

Ultimate holding company is Flutter Entertainment which, in common with other gambling companies, is eschewed by most ESG investors.