ParadigmChess30 is the next evolution of chess — created to bring back excitement, creativity, and unpredictability to the world's most classic game.

It keeps the heart of chess exactly as it is — the same board, the same rules, and the same spirit — but transforms how every game begins.

With 30 unique starting positions, every match becomes a new adventure, full of strategy and surprise.

The Vision

The idea behind ParadigmChess30 was simple: make chess faster, fresher, and more dynamic — without changing its soul.

Too often, modern chess games end in safe draws or repeated openings. ParadigmChess30 resets that, giving every player a chance to create something original, every time they play.

The Story Behind It

The concept was co-created in May 2020 by Lourenzo van Niekerk and Craig Willenberg — two South African chess innovators and lifelong friends who wanted to re-ignite the creative spark in chess.

Lourenzo van Niekerk is the founder of MRL Chess Club in Cape Town, and coach of the well-known MRL sisters — Megan, Robyn, and Lauren.

Craig Willenberg is a National Chess Instructor, top player, and mentor who has represented South Africa at world events.

Lourenzo and Craig have become known as the "brains and heartbeat" behind ParadigmChess30 — the guys who sparked this whole new twist on the game.

Together, they created ParadigmChess30 — the Godfathers of a brand-new chess era, blending the logic of classical chess, the imagination of Capablanca Chess, and the freshness of Fischer Random into one groundbreaking concept.

The Essence

ParadigmChess30 isn't a replacement for chess — it's a revival.

It's for players who love the game but want something new, something alive, something that feels like the future of chess.

"Same board. Same rules. A whole new world of play."