If you’ve spent any time in the chess world over the last few years, you’ve likely come across the Botez sisters: Alexandra and Andrea.
Whether they’re streaming blitz games at breakneck speed or trash-talking their way through a high-stakes chess game, the sisters are impossible to miss.
But how much do you really know about them?
The Botez Sisters and Chess
Beyond the memes and viral moments, Alexandra and Andrea Botez are two of the most fascinating personalities in the game today.
They’ve helped transform how the world views chess, not just as a quiet intellectual sport, but as a thrilling, global entertainment experience.
Here are 10 facts about the Botez sisters that even some of their biggest fans might not know.
1. They Started Playing Chess as Kids
Alexandra began playing chess at six and was introduced to the game by her father. She was a natural.
By eight, she’d already won her first national title. She later became the U.S. Girls’ Nationals Champion at just 15.
Her younger sister, Andrea, followed in her footsteps, learning the game at six and becoming the British Columbia Girls Champion by age 13.
Both sisters showed a clear talent from a young age, and their Romanian parents, who were immigrants with a deep respect for education and discipline, fully supported their efforts.
Alexandra grew up in Dallas, Texas, before moving to Vancouver, Canada, where Andrea was born.
Their home life blended chess with cultural richness, and it laid the foundation for their later success.
2. Their Streaming Channel, BotezLive, Is a Global Phenomenon
Launched in 2016, BotezLive has become one of the world’s most popular chess content channels.
With over 2.7 million followers across Twitch and YouTube combined, the sisters regularly draw tens of thousands of viewers.
Their content blends sharp gameplay, humor, and sibling rivalry, making chess both entertaining and accessible.
They don’t just play chess live. They interact constantly with chat, do blindfold challenges, go berserk in bullet time controls, and even take on players in public parks.
They’ve also partnered with big names in the chess streaming world, notable examples being GothamChess and Hikaru Nakamura.
Their energy is constant, and the format keeps fans coming back.
3. The “Botez Gambit” Is a Real (Kind of) Opening
Okay, not really. The “Botez Gambit” isn’t found in any opening book but has become legendary online.
It refers to the act of accidentally blundering your queen: a mistake Alexandra famously made during a stream.
Rather than hide from the embarrassment, she leaned into the joke, and the term stuck.
It’s used all over the internet whenever someone unnecessarily loses their queen.
4. They Played a Key Role in PogChamps’ Success
Chess.com’s PogChamps tournaments brought celebrities and streamers into the chess spotlight.
Alexandra and Andrea weren’t just passive observers; they actively coached, commented, and competed.
Their charisma and banter played a big role in attracting a mainstream audience to the game.
All through their coaching sessions and roasts, their presence made PogChamps events feel like a crossover between esports and chess, a formula that worked brilliantly.
5. “Botez Abroad” Blends Chess with Travel and Culture
Their Twitch Original series “Botez Abroad” saw the sisters take their chessboards around the world.
In cities like Paris, Tokyo, and Mexico City, they challenged locals to games, explored culture, and vlogged their adventures.
The show has racked up over 20 million views and once drew more than 36,000 concurrent live viewers.
6. They’re Not Just Chess Streamers, They’re Also in Esports
The Botez sisters signed with Envy Gaming in 2020, a major esports organization that later merged with OpTic Gaming.
The move symbolized the growing overlap between competitive gaming and chess, especially in the streaming era.
Their signing cemented them as esports personalities.
They’ve also collaborated with huge names in gaming, streaming with Valkyrae, playing Among Us with xQc, and showing up at MrBeast events.
Their chessboards are now just as common at gamer gatherings as headsets and energy drinks.
7. Alexandra Took on the World Series of Poker
Alexandra has expanded her talents into poker. In 2024, she became a brand ambassador for GGPoker and competed in the World Series of Poker (WSOP).
Her strategic mind and competitive edge make her a natural fit at the table. And yes, she live-streamed parts of her journey for her fans.
Chess and poker share a psychological dimension, and Alexandra has leaned into that overlap.
Her analysis skills and bluffing instincts helped her hold her own against world-class competition.
8. Andrea Tried Chessboxing and Also Dabbles in DJing
Andrea has never shied away from new experiences.
In addition to streaming chess, she’s trained for and participated in a chessboxing event, a hybrid competition where rounds of chess alternate with rounds of actual boxing.
She’s also shown interest in music, occasionally DJing for fun.
9. Alexandra Trains with a World-Class Grandmaster
To sharpen her game, Alexandra receives coaching from Grandmaster Jon Ludvig Hammer.
Hammer isn’t just any GM; he once served as Magnus Carlsen‘s second during World Championship matches.
His influence is evident in Alexandra’s calculating and adaptive playing style.
Her ability to analyze complicated endgames on stream, even while chatting and reacting live, shows how far her training has taken her.
10. Advocates for Women and Youth in Chess
Alexandra has worked with the Susan Polgar Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting chess among youth, especially girls.
Both sisters have used their platforms to advocate for greater gender inclusion in chess and have inspired countless young women to take up the game.
They’ve often spoken about the challenges of being women in a male-dominated space, but rather than complain, they’ve built a community where everyone feels welcome.
Bonus: Alexandra vs. Andrea: Their Chess Styles Compared
Both sisters love to play aggressive attacking chess. Alexandra’s style also includes a more positional, calculated method.
Andrea also plays aggressively; she’s sharp, fast, and loves tactical complications.
What’s Next for the Botez Sisters?
Their ambitions show no signs of slowing. Alexandra continues exploring poker and aims to break deeper into that competitive scene.
Andrea, on the other hand, wants to develop more real-life chess content.
Together, they plan to grow BotezLive into a full media brand, producing original shows and mentoring rising chess talent.
They’re also teasing another season of “Botez Abroad,” potentially bringing chess to lesser-known corners of the world.
Conclusion: More Than Just Content Creators
The Botez sisters have shattered the stereotype of chess as a dry, elite game played in silence.
Through energy, humor, and undeniable skill, they’ve brought chess to the masses.
What sets them apart isn’t just their knowledge of the game; it’s their ability to connect.
They’ve proven that chess can be funny, dramatic, emotional, and even glamorous.
And if the past few years are any indication, they’re just getting started.
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