Here’s How Anya Taylor-Joy Helped Chess Genius Magnus Carlsen Make Millions

Published 12/02/2021, 7:45 AM EST

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It is no secret that Netflix Show, Queen’s Gambit, attracted a lot more viewers interested in chess. The show featured a wonder kid, rising through the ranks, and winning different tournaments against older grandmasters. Hence, it became a mainstay on television for some time, as Anya Taylor-Joy, aka Beth Harmon, piqued the interest of even those who did not watch the sport. This helped many businesses to grow, including the app run by Magnus Carlsen.

Magnus Carlsen is talented

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Co-founded in 2013, Play Magnus amplified from a normal training app to giving out new features like a playing platform, lessons, and a publishing arm. Carlsen developed this app ever since he became a world champion in 2013. Hence, the grandmaster wants to improve the app’s profitability and marketability.

With Queen’s Gambit coming into play, the app is receiving rave reviews, with the Apple app store rating it 4.7/5. Notably, it went on to become the only publically traded chess company in the world on the Oslo Stock Exchange.

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The company saw its revenues and expenses grow in the last year. The third-quarter earnings grew from 176% year-over-year to $5.5 million. A significant rise for the company. Despite those encouraging numbers, the company recorded a $5.3 million pre-tax loss in the quarter. But, as of November 15th, Play Magnus had $22 million in cash. It garnered interest across the world from its PogChamps tournament, as it comprises many chess players and celebrities.

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The impact of Queen’s Gambit

The TV show was one of the best-rated shows on Netflix last year. It, in fact, reached about 62 million households in the first 28 days of streaming. Not only did Play Magnus see a boom, but even other apps like chess.com saw an increasing curve in its app users, and it gained 1 million accounts for each month, starting from the release of the show.

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Currently, the show is still available on Netflix and continues to attract a new audience. As for Magnus Carlsen, the app provided a massive boost to his business. He is currently defending his 4th World Championship title against Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi. They have drawn five games out of 14 and now look for a winner in Game 6.

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Written by:

Jacob Gijy

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Jacob Gijy is a US Sports and NBA writer at EssentiallySports. Gijy finished his Masters in Counselling Psychology and worked in a hospital for 2 years before his passion for sports compelled him to find his way to sports journalism. A fan of the great Tim Duncan, he is always ready to pick up a debate with anyone who does not offer the center the respect he deserves.
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