Our Team

The Organization is composed of life-long chess players as well as newer yet equally passionate fans who believe in the positive attributes of chess and want to further share these with the world.

Management

The Organization is composed of life-long chess players as well as newer yet equally passionate fans who believe in the positive attributes of chess and want to further share these with the world.

Chief Executive Officer

Andreas Thome

Prior to joining Play Magnus, Andreas Thome was the COO of Opera Software ASA, where he served for 10 years on the management team. Andreas has broad expertise in business development, commercial strategy, and management from 15 years of experience in IT, Software and Telecom. Andreas holds an MSc in Finance & Investment from York University and an MSc in Economics from the University of Oslo.

Chief Financial Officer

Dmitri Shneider

Dmitri Shneider joined Chessable as the company's COO in 2019 and became CFO of the Play Magnus Group in 2020. Prior to Chessable, Dmitri Shneider was a senior equity strategist at JPMorgan in New York and Hong Kong for 11 years, where he last held the title of Executive Director. Mr. Shneider holds a BSc in Finance with a minor in Economics from the University of Texas, Dallas. He is a CFA charterholder and an International Chess Master.

Chief Technology Officer

David Kramaley

David Kramaley founded Chessable in 2015 and joined the Play Magnus Group in 2019. He has since become CTO of the Play Magnus Group and oversees all development of the Group’s platforms. His background is in video game development as the founder of Sharkius Games. David holds a BSc in Computer Science from Queen’s College, City University of New York, a PGCert in Applied Psychology from the University of Liverpool and MSc in the Psychology of Education from the University of Bristol.

Chief Business Development Officer

Sebastian Kuhnert

Sebastian J. Kuhnert is the Chief Business Development Officer of Play Magnus AS and joined the Play Magnus Group as CEO of chess24. Prior to Play Magnus, Mr. Kuhnert has held various positions with international companies such as Tradimo Interactive and PokerStrategy.com. Mr.Kuhnert holds an MSc in General Management from WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management.

Chief Strategy Officer

Arkus Fredriksson

Arkus Fredriksson has worked with Play Magnus since 2016 on strategic and corporate development initiatives, including the formation of the Play Magnus Group through the consolidation with chess24 and acquisition of Chessable. His background is in Investment Banking with Lazard in London. Arkus completed his undergraduate studies in management and computer science at University College London and Columbia University.

Board of Directors

The Play Magnus Group is led by a strong group of board members holding substantial experience from a variety of backgrounds from entertainment and media to entrepreneurship and finance.

Chairman of the Board

Anders Brandt

Board Member

Henrik Carlsen

Board Member

Patrick Sandahl

Board Member

Jens Hilgers

Board Member

Irene Kristiansen

Board Member

Espen Agdestein

Board Member

Nils Lensch-Franzen