In February, the esports world was set ablaze with excitement as some of the most renowned chess grandmasters joined forces with top-tier esports organizations. This move is in anticipation of chess's debut as an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh in 2025, which boasts a $1.5 million prize pool. Legends like Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren are now gearing up to compete alongside professionals in games like Dota 2 and CS:GO at this prestigious global tournament.
Table of Contents
- Why Are Esports Organizations Recruiting Chess Players?
- Who Signed With Whom?
- Magnus Carlsen
- Ian Nepomniachtchi
- Ding Liren
- Fabiano Caruana
- Hikaru Nakamura
- Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
- Volodar Murzin
- Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik
Why Are Esports Organizations Recruiting Chess Players?
The rationale behind this surge in chess talent acquisition is clear: chess will be a featured discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh in 2025, with a substantial $1.5 million prize pool. The EWC, an annual event in Saudi Arabia, has grown from its inception at the Gamers8 festival, which initially included only five disciplines (Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO), to now encompassing 25 different games. Saudi Arabia's vision is to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030.
Scheduled from June to August 2025, the EWC offers a staggering $60 million prize pool. A unique aspect of the competition is its overall standings system, where clubs earn points for top-eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year, Team Falcons clinched victory in 16 out of the available spots. With such high stakes, having skilled players in every discipline, including chess, is crucial for success.
Who Signed With Whom?
Magnus Carlsen
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Team Liquid: Magnus Carlsen
FIDE Ranking: 1
The 16-time World Champion has signed with Team Liquid, expressing his excitement about joining what he considers the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen views this collaboration as a perfect match for his global recognition in chess. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, hailed Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time" and expressed the honor of having him on their team.
Ian Nepomniachtchi
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Aurora: Ian Nepomniachtchi
FIDE Ranking: 9
Russia's top chess player, Ian Nepomniachtchi, has signed with Aurora Gaming. Known for his prowess in rapid chess, including a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi is thrilled about chess's inclusion in the EWC and eager to be part of an ambitious esports project.
Ding Liren
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LGD: Ding Liren
FIDE Ranking: 17
Despite a recent setback in his title match against Gukesh Dommaraju, the legendary Chinese esports club LGD has welcomed Ding Liren to their roster for the Esports World Cup.
Fabiano Caruana
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Team Liquid: Fabiano Caruana
FIDE Ranking: 2
Team Liquid has further strengthened its chess lineup by signing American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana to a three-year contract.
Hikaru Nakamura
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Falcons: Hikaru Nakamura
FIDE Ranking: 3
The five-time U.S. Chess Champion and Twitch star Hikaru Nakamura has joined Team Falcons, adding significant star power to their roster.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
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Vitality: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
FIDE Ranking: 22
The French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has become the latest addition to Vitality, a prominent French esports organization known for its competitive presence in games like CS:GO and Valorant.
Volodar Murzin
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AG Global Esports: Volodar Murzin
FIDE Ranking: 70
Eighteen-year-old Volodar Murzin, fresh off his victory at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, has signed with AG Global Esports, reinforcing their commitment to excelling in the rapid chess format.
Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik
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NAVI: Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik
FIDE Rankings: 11th, 6th, and 166th
NAVI has bolstered its chess division by signing three grandmasters: Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik for the EWC.
