Stretch Network is excited to announce upcoming changes to its Spin & Go tournaments, which are designed to elevate the player experience, boost engagement, and improve retention for operators.

The new updates are crafted in response to valuable player feedback and are aimed at optimizing the tournament structure and gameplay dynamics.

Here’s what’s changing:

• Better Multiplier & Prize Structure – These adjustments will create a more dynamic and exciting game experience, keeping players engaged with every spin.
• Lower Rake (Now 7%) – This reduction increases player value, ensuring more rewards and greater appeal to players.
• Optimized Game Speed – With a 20BB starting stack, the tournament action will be quicker and more engaging.
• Faster Blind Levels – The new 2-minute intervals for blind levels will enhance the pace of play, keeping tournaments thrilling and engaging.
• Hold’em-Exclusive Format – The focus will now be solely on Hold’em, offering a more consistent and streamlined experience for players.
• Simplified Navigation – The updated interface ensures a smoother user experience, making navigation seamless for players.
• New Buy-In Tiers – Players can now choose from a broader range of buy-ins from €0.5 to €100, making the tournaments more accessible to players at every level.

These updates will drive better player retention, more frequent tournaments, and increased liquidity for operators. To complement the changes, Stretch Network will soon launch a special Spin & Go Challenge promotion, helping operators acquire and engage more players. Keep an eye out for more details!

For more information and partnership opportunities, contact Stretch Network today.

Today, Team Vitality is delighted to announce Chess Grandmaster, Maxime ‘MVL’ Vachier-Lagrave as the club’s new professional chess player. The signing will see the French native represent Team Vitality on international competitive stages, strengthening the club’s competitive portfolio as well as participating in wider community activations, bridging together the global esports and chess community.

The signing follows Team Vitality identifying the competitive chess landscape as an incredible opportunity, experiencing an unprecedented global boom with millions of players and fans engaging with the game like never before. In 2023 alone, the Chess.com app was downloaded 80 million times, contributing to an astonishing one billion games played each month. The game’s influence extends beyond the board, with chess content amassing six billion views on YouTube, proving its growing impact in both competitive play and digital culture.

MVL, TEAM VITALITY’S NEW CHESS STAR

Considered one of the best chess players in the world, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave joins Team Vitality as a five-time winner of the Biel Grandmaster Tournament, a two-times winner of the prestigious Sinquefield Cup, and champion at the World Blitz Championship in 2021. He also notably achieved the title of Grandmaster at the age of 14 – making him one of the youngest Grandmasters in history at the time, before winning the Junior world championship title in 2009.

For most of his career, MVL has been ranked among the top 10 players in the world by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and is widely recognised for his expertise in the Najdorf Sicilian and the Grünfeld Defense – two of the most complex and dynamic chess openings. Utilising his exceptional skills, analytical thinking and passion for chess, the signing will look to strengthen Team Vitality’s competitive portfolio while inspiring the next generation of chess players and fans alike.

Currently ranked World #7 in Rapid chess, MVL will be representing Team Vitality in the first leg of the 2025 Champions Chess Tour, the Chessable Masters and following the news that chess has officially joined the roster of games for the second iteration of the EWC, is hoping to compete on behalf of the club on stage in Saudi Arabia later this year.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to join Team Vitality for this new adventure in the world of esports! Competing for Team Vitality this year is an exciting challenge, and the two qualifying tournaments will be key milestones in my 2025 season for qualifying in the EWC. Seeing chess take its place alongside some of the biggest games in esports is incredible—it’s a fantastic opportunity to grow the game and inspire the next generation of players.” – Maxime ‘MVL’ Vachier-Lagrave” commented Maxime ‘MVL’ Vachier-Lagrave

CHESS TO BE REPRESENTED ON THE BIGGEST STAGE

Chess is one of the world’s most popular strategy games, with an estimated 600 million people playing the game regularly, and is now set to be a part of the biggest esports tournament- the Esports World Cup. Online chess has evolved significantly and gained a huge following, with online chess platforms boasting hundreds of millions of members. Fueled by the rising popularity of chess streamers on Twitch and YouTube, the tabletop game has been transformed from a classic game to an undeniable global phenomenon loved by people of all ages and backgrounds.

Bringing chess to the 2025 EWC allows the game to be showcased on the biggest stage and drives innovation and growth within its already vibrant ecosystem. The chess format at the tournament will be played in a rapid 10+0 format, which perfectly suits MVL’s gameplay strategy. Rapid time control is one of the most balanced formats of chess, offering players enough time to showcase their strategic brilliance while maintaining a fast pace that keeps the games exciting to watch.

With MVL looking to represent Team Vitality during the chess tournament at the EWC, the club is also set to compete in several other titles throughout the event, including CS2, Rocket League, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

“We are thrilled to announce that Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has signed with Team Vitality and will be representing us at the Esports World Cup and beyond. As online chess continues to soar in popularity, we are proud to be part of this beloved game and honoured to team up with a French Grandmaster. Maxime is one of the best players in the world, and with his talent and determination, we do not doubt that together, we will bring home trophies. commented Danny Engels, Corporate Director of Global Operations at Team Vitality.

Games viewed on expansive LED video wall, tickets include unlimited draft beer

Thursday, March 20 through Saturday, March 22, the Plaza Hotel & Casino in downtown Las Vegas will host its annual March Mania viewing parties in its showroom, where the multi-game action can be viewed on an expansive 24-foot LED video wall. Doors open at 8 a.m. each day.

Single day tickets are $100 per person and include entry to a raffle, unlimited draft beer, two free well drinks, and unlimited soft drinks. Groups can reserve tables for up to four people. Attendees can bring in food from any dining outlet at the Plaza and place to go orders for food from Pop Up Pizza and Fresh Mexican Grill conveniently from their seat in the showroom.

All ticket prices are plus taxes and fees. Gratuity not included. Tickets can be purchased online: plazahotelcasino.com/entertainment/march-mania/.

Guests attending the March Mania parties can also save up to 20 percent on a two-night hotel stay at the Plaza. Reservations must be made online by March 16.