64SQRS Online Team Battle Series
Back in early twenty twenty-four, we started testing out something exciting—a team-based online chess battle that brought friends, clubmates, and fierce rivals into the same arena. It wasn’t just about the moves on the board; it was about identity, pride, and energy.
Teams like the HummingBirds, Underrated Fishes, Peelers, Checkmate Syndicates, and The Army of Fire stood out early. Week after week, they showed up, grew their squads, and brought life to every matchday. The arena felt electric. Everyone knew Saturday was for the battles.
That momentum is what gave birth to what we now call the 64SQRS Online Team Battle Series (O.T.B.S)—a full-season, multi-month chess showdown built to scale, inspire, and grow a whole community of teams.
What Is O.T.B.S?
The 64SQRS Online Team Battle Series (O.T.B.S) is a long-format online chess league built around team-based arena events.
It’s monthly, open, and run in three formats: Bullet, Chess960, and Blitz. Each team enters to compete for leaderboard points and prize earnings. Every month is its own race, and every matchday is a chance to rise.
Whether you're part of a chess club, a school team, or an online crew of sharpshooters, O.T.B.S is your stage.
The Goal
Our mission is simple: Grow chess communities by letting teams represent who they are. Whether it’s your city, a school, a street, or just a name that unites you—you bring the energy, we bring the platform.
With a more structured and extended season, we aim to help players connect deeper with their squads, attract sponsors, and enjoy a sustained competitive rhythm.
Monthly Format
Each month features three Arena battles, each one two hours long.
All events begin at 8:00 PM WAT and are hosted on lichess.org using the Team Battle Arena format.
| Event Type | Weekend | Entry Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Bullet Saturday | 1st weekend | ₦5,000/team |
| Chess960 Saturday | 2nd weekend | ₦5,000/team |
| Blitz Saturday | Final weekend | ₦10,000/team |
Team Setup
To compete, you need a Lichess team page and a playing squad. For now, all battles are played with 5 players per team, selected before each event.
A team consists of:
- A Lichess team page (open for players to join)
- One team captain (manages registration and lineup)
- Five players on game day
Only the selected 5 will participate to keep things focused and stable.
Naming Your Team: Build Identity, Create Culture
(From Names to Nations — Where Your Team Becomes a Legacy)
The 64SQRS Online Team Battle Series (O.T.B.S) has always had something special — not just games, but a unique culture of names and communities that grow beyond the chessboard.
Whether you’re reviving an old team or forming a new squad, your name is your identity and your rallying point.
Legends of the Format
Over the years, teams have left their mark in unforgettable ways:
| Team Name | Vibe / Energy |
|---|---|
| Army of Fire | Aggressive, fearless, coordinated |
| Hummingbirds | Tactical, graceful, fast |
| The Underrated Fishes | Unpredictable, brutal, underdog magic |
| The Peelers | Silent workers, steady finishers |
| The Checkmate Syndicate |
These aren’t just names. They’re brands. They’re community statements.
A Naming Formula That Sparks Creativity
While you’re free to be as creative as possible, here’s a simple format that helps create identity and longevity:
** [Region / Group] + [Energy / Animal / Style]**
| Examples | Inspiration Style |
|---|---|
| Lagos Legion | Urban strength |
| Jos Knights | Steady and classical |
| Kaduna Chaos | Wild and relentless |
| Awka Architects | Calm and strategic |
| Edo Scorpions | Sharp and deadly |
| Enugu Endgames | Tactical and fiery |
This format is not mandatory, but it helps root your team in something real, something symbolic — and helps others recognize you faster.
Create a Logo That Matches the Culture
Your name deserves a face. Every team is encouraged to create a team logo, using:
- Free tools (e.g., Canva, Looka)
- AI logo prompts (ask us for ideas!)
- Your own design team, if you’ve got one
Want help? We'll be releasing AI prompts and visual inspiration packs in the WhatsApp community.
What Makes a Good Team Name?
- It represents something: a city, an energy, a squad vibe
- It’s recognizable and memorable
- It gives your team an identity that can evolve into:
- Fan culture
- Branding
- Social content
- Offline community
Prize Structure & How It Grows
The 64SQRS Online Team Battle Series (O.T.B.S) prizes are based on team registration fees and scale with participation. The more teams that register, the more teams win — and the larger the pool.
1.5% VAT is deducted from the total prize pool before distribution.
Entry Fees
| Event Type | Entry Fee (Per Team) |
|---|---|
| Bullet Arena | ₦5,000 |
| Chess960 Arena | ₦5,000 |
| Blitz Arena | ₦10,000 |
Teams can play any or all events, but only those that participate in all three qualify for the ₦30,000 Monthly Leaderboard Bonus.
Prize Distribution Table (After 1.5% VAT)
| Teams Range | Gross Pool (₦) | Net Prize Pool (₦) | 1st Place | 2nd | 3rd | 4⃣ 4th | 5⃣ 5th |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 Teams | ₦20,000 | ₦19,700 | 100% (₦19,700) | – | – | – | – |
| 5–7 Teams | ₦30,000 | ₦29,550 | 60% (₦17,730) | 40% (₦11,820) | – | – | – |
| 8–10 Teams | ₦45,000 | ₦44,325 | 50% (₦22,162.50) | 30% (₦13,297.50) | 20% (₦8,865) | – | – |
| 11–15 Teams | ₦65,000 | ₦64,025 | 40% (₦25,610) | 30% (₦19,208) | 20% (₦12,805) | 10% (₦6,402) | – |
| 16–20 Teams | ₦90,000 | ₦88,650 | 35% (₦31,027.50) | 25% (₦22,162.50) | 20% (₦17,730) | 10% (₦8,865) | 10% (₦8,865) |
Figures above assume ₦5,000/team events like Bullet or 960. Double the values for Blitz Arena.
Monthly Leaderboard & ₦30,000 Bonus Prize
The real battle goes beyond a single arena. Over the course of each month, teams compete in three different formats:
- Bullet
- Chess960
- Blitz
Each of these arenas contributes to a cumulative monthly leaderboard, which determines the ₦30,000 Bonus Prize winner.
How Leaderboard Points Work
Unlike a fixed ranking system, the Monthly Leaderboard is based on actual points earned by your team members during each arena.
Each player’s points (as scored by Lichess in the Team Arena format) are added up for their team. These are combined across all three events.
The more players score for their team across the arenas, the higher their standing on the monthly leaderboard.
Bonus Prize Criteria
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Participation | Must play all 3 arenas in the month |
| Score System | Sum of all Lichess Arena points earned |
| Prize Amount | ₦30,000 |
| Tie-break (if needed) | Higher Blitz points then Bullet |
Only the team’s active 5-player lineup each weekend contributes to their arena score.
This system rewards endurance, consistency, and top-level scoring across all formats — not just single event wins.
Lineup Roles & Player Categories
(Understanding HERA & Team Composition)
Each team entering the arena must present a 5-player lineup, carefully structured by strength. This creates a fair and strategic format that allows all player levels to contribute while maintaining competitive integrity.
Team Composition Breakdown
| Role | Number of Players | Category Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Elite | 1 | HER ≥ 2600 or HERA ≥ 2500 |
| Advanced | 2 | HER < 2600 or HERA < 2500 |
| Intermediate | 2 | HER < 2350 or HERA < 2350 |
What is HER / HERA?
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| HER | Highest Ever Rating (either Blitz or Bullet) |
| HERA | Highest Ever Rating Average of Blitz & Bullet |
These are taken from the player’s Lichess rating history.
Example:
- Blitz HER = 2420
- Bullet HER = 2580
HERA = (2420 + 2580) / 2 = 2500
Teams can choose either HER or HERA — whichever favors the player best.
Why this Structure?
This structured format:
- Levels the playing field
- Encourages team-building beyond “just 5 strong friends”
- Enables young, underrated, or regionally rising players to shine
- Keeps arena balance dynamic and strategic
Tips for Captains:
- Scout carefully — HER and HERA are easy to check on any player’s profile.
- Mix experience and firepower: one strong Elite + two solid Advanced + two grinders can take you far.
- Stay flexible: You can switch lineups between arenas or even create new team entries if needed.
Matchday Announcements
Matchdays will be posted on our Lichess blog each month.
The first matchday kicks off with Bullet Saturday on July 12th, 2025.
Stay updated. Every month brings new fire.
