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Meet the ChessLine Team

At ChessLine, we are passionate about revolutionizing chess training with AI. Our team brings together expertise in chess, artificial intelligence and business strategy, ensuring that ChessLine delivers practical, high-performance solutions for players of all levels.

ChessLine Founders

Portrait of Carl von Burg, Co-Founder & CTO at ChessLine

Carl von Burg

Co-Founder & CTO

Software Engineer | Chess Player | Technical Lead

Carl is the technical driving force behind ChessLine, ensuring that cutting-edge AI technology and real-world chess training merge into one seamless experience. His background is deeply rooted in practical software development, having completed an IT apprenticeship before earning a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science at FHNW. This unique blend of hands-on experience and academic knowledge allows Carl to develop, implement, and optimize ChessLine's technology in a way that is both efficient and player-focused.

Chess Club
Chess Club:SV Gundeldingen
Education
Education:Bachelor's in Computer Science, FHNW
Swiss Chess Federation Profile
Swiss Chess Federation Profile:Swiss Chess Profile – Carl von Burg
Current Elo Rating
Current Elo Rating:1950 (as of 2025)

Carl leads the technical development of ChessLine, ensuring that the platform is:

  • Fast and scalable, handling millions of chess positions efficiently.
  • User-friendly, designed with a strong focus on intuitive interaction and smooth gameplay.
  • Continuously improving, with regular updates and technical enhancements.

His expertise ensures that ChessLine remains a powerful, practical tool that chess players of all levels can rely on.

Portrait of Stefan Rau, Co-Founder & CEO at ChessLine

Stefan Rau

Co-Founder & CEO

Business & Strategy | Chess Player | Marketing Lead

Stefan leads ChessLine's vision, strategy and business growth. With a background in business administration and marketing and a deep passion for chess, he combines entrepreneurial thinking with practical chess experience. His mission is to make advanced chess training accessible to everyone, using cutting-edge AI to deliver personalized, easy-to-understand recommendations.

Chess Club
Chess Club:SV Gundeldingen
Education
Education:Bachelor's in Business administration and Master's in Marketing, Service, and Communication Management at University of St.Gallen
Swiss Chess Federation Profile
Swiss Chess Federation Profile:Swiss Chess Profile – Stefan Rau
Current Elo Rating
Current Elo Rating:1767 (as of 2025)

Stefan's personal experience in competitive chess inspired the creation of ChessLine, addressing common pain points such as preparing openings efficiently, saving time, and making smart decisions in-game. His business acumen ensures ChessLine is built for long-term success, bringing chess players a tool that evolves with their skill level.

Our Vision: Shaping the Future of Chess Training

At ChessLine, we believe that chess is more than just a game - it's a powerful tool for developing mental strength, strategic thinking, and connecting people worldwide. Our vision is to provide a revolutionary, AI-driven training experience that adapts to each player, helping them train smarter, improve faster, and reach their full potential. We envision a world where every player—beginner, club player, or professional—has access to cutting-edge, personalized training that enhances their skills efficiently.

ChessLine's Vision Target

Future of Chess Training

Becoming the go-to tool for champions

Making Chess Learning Accessible & Enjoyable

Enhancing accessibility and enjoyment

Core Values

Trust, customer experience, and innovation

Core Beliefs

Lifelong journey and adaptive training

Vision

Shaping the future of chess training

Our Core Beliefs

  • Chess is a lifelong journey—learning should be engaging, personal, and never-ending.
  • Training should adapt to the player—not the other way around.
  • Technology should empower players, making learning faster, more effective, and enjoyable.

Our Core Values

  • Trust: We are committed to transparency and integrity, ensuring that ChessLine remains a trusted platform for every chess player.
  • Customer Experience First: We design ChessLine to be easy to use, interactive, and highly effective. Every feature is created with the player's improvement and enjoyment in mind.
  • Flexibility & Innovation: The chess world is constantly evolving, and so is ChessLine. We adapt quickly to new technologies, trends, and player needs.

Our Purpose

Making Chess Learning Accessible & Enjoyable

Chess is a game that offers social, cognitive, and strategic benefits—but many players struggle with learning it effectively. Our goal is to:

  • Increase understanding of chess through AI-driven, personalized recommendations.
  • Make learning enjoyable by providing intuitive, engaging, and efficient training methods.
  • Inspire more people to play chess, unlocking their full mental potential.

Our Mission: The Future of Chess Training

Within the next 10 years, ChessLine aims to become the go-to training tool for future chess champions.

Join us on this journey and revolutionize your chess training with ChessLine!

Our Journey & Milestones

2024

Foundation of ChessLine

2025

Alpha version release

2026

Goal: 100,000+ users worldwide

Join Us on This Journey!

Whether you're a beginner, a tournament player or a professional chess player, ChessLine is designed to help you improve efficiently.