Tyler1 is probably not the first notable streamer you think of when it comes to chess. But in 2023, the League of Legends addict took some time away from the Riot MOBA to focus on a new passion – chess. And it earned him an award.
League of Legends can be quite draining. It's a team game where you have to rely on four other people, who more often than not will let you down. One of the most well-known and popular streamers, Tyler "Tyler1" Steinkamp, took a pretty long break from streaming this year to focus on a new passion – chess.
This gave him time away from the toxic environment that is League of Legends, as well as gave him a new challenge. And this time the results were solely based off his own accomplishments and not those of a team.
League of Legends Content Creator Tyler1 Wins Chess Streamer Award
BRAWNS AND BRAINS! THE WINNER OF BEST CHESS STREAMER IS @loltyler1HOP IN CHAT TO SEE MORE https://t.co/pIfvpBqPlE pic.twitter.com/vKzk4QbFuq
— The Streamer Awards (@StreamerAwards) February 18, 2024
On Februarz 17, QTCinderella's Streamer Awards took place. Multiple streamers from all over flocked to Los Angeles to be a part of the show. One of the more interesting moments of the night was when the award for best Chess Streamer.
Nominated in the category were notable chess players like BotezLive, Anna Cramling, and GothamChess who are well-known in the chess streamer community. Amongst them was one "short king" which was none other than League of Legends content creator Tyler1.
Now, chess isn't something that comes to mind when you think of Tyler1, right? You're more likely to associate the LoL champion Draven, a lot of screaming and horrible camera quality, with him. But, halfway through 2023, Tyler1 took a break from League of Legends and started playing chess.
He played chess both on and off stream, finding a new goal for himself. He's achieved Challenger in every role in League of Legends, has hit grandmaster and master ranks in Korea and Europe, so it seemed like a new challenge was on the horizon for the streamer, and he set his sights on chess.
BETTER THAN MAGNUS
— Chess.com (@chesscom) February 18, 2024
He has since consistently played chess on stream, as well as League of Legends, which earned him the honor of 'chess streamer of the year', though some members of the community, feel that Anna Cramling was snubbed by this win. Overall, achieving an 1500 elo in just a few months of playing is a feat of its own, right?