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Chess is having a moment.
Once considered a quiet game for your grandfather and nerds, the ancient game has found new life online. Thanks to pandemic lockdowns, Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, and the rise of charismatic streamers, chess has quietly become an internet sensation recently.
At the heart of this revival are a slew of young chess creators like the Botez sisters — two content creators helping to reinvent the game for a new generation.
Alexandra (29) and Andrea (22) Botez, known collectively as the Botez sisters, are two of the most recognizable faces in online chess today. With a mix of competitive skill, entertaining banter, and savvy use of platforms like Twitch and YouTube, they’ve transformed how chess is perceived and consumed. Raised in Canada by Romanian parents, Alexandra was a national champion by her teens, while Andrea quickly followed in her footsteps.
While studying at Stanford, Alexandra began streaming chess games and tutorials on Twitch in 2016. She quickly gained a following for her sharp gameplay and engaging commentary. Andrea joined her sister on-stream a few years later, and together, they formed the dynamic duo known as the Botez Sisters. Together, they’ve turned chess streaming into must-see content, attracting millions of fans.
Their YouTube channel, BotezLive, has 1.78 million subscribers and features chess battles, IRL travel content, and game commentary. They've accumulated over 900 million views to date. Their most watched video, “I Played Chess Hustlers in Union Square Park,” has over 18.5 million views.
Looking solely at YouTube’s AdSense, earnings depend on their RPM (revenue per thousand views). With an estimated RPM of $8, and an average of 270K views per video, each upload likely earns them around $2160. With about four uploads a month, their monthly income from YouTube ads alone is estimated at $8640/month. That is just on their main channel.
They have several other channels, including Alexandra Botez (35 K Subscribers), BotezLive Clips (138 K Subscribers), Andrea Botez DJ channel (143 K Subscribers), Botez Chess chanel (10.1 K Subscribers). These channels also have sizable Adsense revenue potential.
Using a YouTube sponsorship calculator, their rate per 60-second ad integration is approximately $0.03 CPV (cost per view). With an average of 270K views per video, a single sponsorship could get them between $4,000 to $8,000. However, given their strong cultural presence, their actual sponsorship rate per integration is likely higher.
The sisters have collaborated with brands like Chess.com, Garnier, Spellbreak, BetterHelp, Audible, and more. Their crossover appeal, which blends chess with pop culture, makes them attractive to a wide range of sponsors.
Twitch Streaming: One of their major income sources is Twitch, where they stream regularly to hundreds of thousands of followers. Revenue comes from subscriptions, bits (donations), and Twitch ad revenue.
IRL Content & Travel Streams: The sisters also earn through partnerships while live-streaming their travels around the world, from Europe to Asia to the U.S.
Merchandise: They’ve released limited edition merch runs, including apparel and chess-themed items.
Appearance Fees & Esports Gigs: They've hosted events, appeared on esports broadcasts, and been hired as commentators and celebrity players in major tournaments. In a particularly headline-grabbing moment last year, Andrea Botez stepped into the boxing ring with fellow YouTuber Michelle Khare — a spectacle that went viral and showcased the sisters’ growing crossover appeal beyond the chessboard.
Evergreen content on YouTube refers to videos that remain relevant and valuable to viewers over an extended period. Our unique measurement tool - the evergreen score - computes the data and helps you understand which videos are on the trajectory to continue to get views over time, and which videos have lost their appeal and flatlined.
While some videos (like travel streams) have a short shelf-life, many of their chess tutorials and high-profile matchups have long-term value. Fans return to watch their reactions, strategy breakdowns, and iconic moments.
Their matches against chess grandmasters, like Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen, remain highly evergreen. One standout: Botez Sisters Broke Magnus Carlsen… continues to draw in new viewers each month, with a strong evergreen score of 2.5 based on consistent views over time.
The Botez Sisters’ rise has been anything but conventional. From national chess competitions to global Twitch stardom, they’ve turned their skills and charisma into a thriving business. They’re proof that with the right mix of talent, authenticity, and hustle, even a centuries-old game like chess can find new life (and a massive audience) in the digital age.
Check out more information about the Botez Sisters' YouTube channel here.
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