GothamChess’s ‘How to Win’ Book Excluded from Speed Chess Championship

Chess enthusiasts were taken aback upon discovering that the book ‘How to Win at Chess‘ by YouTuber Levy Rozman, better known as GothamChess, has been banned from both physical and digital formats at the upcoming Speed Chess Championship Finals.

This much-anticipated tournament is scheduled to be held in London on February 7-8, and while fans can purchase tickets for this thrilling event, there are certain regulations regarding prohibited items that have sparked controversy among prospective attendees.

According to a Google document outlining FAQs for the event, attendees are subject to restrictions on various items, including animals, weapons, and illegal substances. In addition to these standard prohibitions, items that might distract players, such as noisemakers and laser pointers, are also not allowed.

Debate Erupts Over the Ban on GothamChess’s Book

Among the unexpected restrictions is the prohibition of GothamChess’s book, which has stirred significant conversation within the chess community on platforms like Reddit. Many users are questioning the rationale behind this peculiar decision.

One Redditor expressed disbelief: “Must be some kind of joke.”

Levy Rozmans ‘How to win at Chess’ is on the banned items list at the 2026 Speed Chess Championship in both its digital and physical format. byu/JamesHayes101 inchess

Another user speculated, “Is Levy going to be at the event? The only reasonable explanation I can think of is that they want to avoid people flocking to him for book signatures.” In contrast, a user pointed out that Chess for Babies, another work by Rozman, remains unrestricted.

The underlying reasons for this ban remain ambiguous. Some speculate it could be a marketing strategy, especially with Rozman’s sequel, ‘How to Win at Chess: Next Level‘, expected to launch later in 2026.

The event’s guidelines do not provide further insight into the ban. Apart from the mention of “Objects being used to signal to players, ” the FAQ leaves attendees without a clear understanding.

Speed Chess Championship Poster — Feverup

Interestingly, the FAQ encourages fans to bring signs to support their favorite players, clarifying, “We reserve the right to inspect that all signs are used in a manner that does not confer an advantage to any specific player.”

As of now, Levy Rozman has yet to respond to the controversy regarding his book’s ban. Regardless, anticipation is building for the Speed Chess Championship Finals, which will feature grandmasters such as Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura—both of whom have won the championship title each year since 2016.

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