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How Perplexity is using chess as part of strategy to popularise its new Comet browser

Chess fans who download Comet will be able to compete in the 2025 Comet Open, which is a newly-launched high-stakes tournament offering a $200,000 prize fund. The Comet Open will start from October 11.

The 2025 Comet Open will be held later this month and will be open only to players using the Comet browser.

Right after Perplexity announced the launch of its Comet browser, the AI giant also announced a partnership with Chess.com that will need fans to download the browser. Comet is an AI-integrated browser, which means that it will combine traditional browsing with a built-in personal AI assistant powered by Perplexity.

The collaboration showcases the rising heft of the sport of chess, with a tech company using it to get more downloads of their AI-based product.

Chess fans who download Comet will be able to compete in the 2025 Comet Open, which is a newly-launched high-stakes tournament offering a $200,000 prize fund. The tournament will start from October 11.

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Those downloading Comet will also get 30 days of Chess.com premium features for a month from October 2 to November 1. This includes playing on Chess.com without ads; unlimited game reviews using Chess.com tool for analyzing chess games, powered by strongest chess engines; unlimited puzzles and lessons; and unlimited bots to play against.

“Chess.com’s community embraces strategy, curiosity, and continuous learning—qualities that also define how people use Perplexity. This partnership is a natural fit, especially as we introduce our Comet browser. Chess players are intellectually engaged and open to discovery, being particularly interested in new tools like Comet, which transforms everyday exploration into a smarter, more intuitive journey,” said Ryan Foutty, Perplexity’s VP of Business.

On its website, Chess.com says that the new tournament will be an open tournament for all players that will take place over two weekends: October 11-12 and October 18-19. To participate, players must be using the Comet browser. The event will feature two sections with a massive prize fund: while Titled Players will fight for a prize fund of $150,000 (with the winner pocketing $45,000), untitled players will play for a $50,000 prize fund, with $15,000 for first place.

“We’re always looking for ways to bring more people to chess, and make their experience as rewarding as possible. Partnering with Perplexity is a great opportunity to bring our members more benefits, while introducing them to cutting-edge technology,” IM Danny Rensch, Chess.com’s CCO, was quoted as saying on his own website . “The Comet Open is not just a tournament with a big prize pool, it’s a chance for players everywhere to be part of something innovative and global.”