In February, the esports community was buzzing with excitement as some of the world's top chess grandmasters made high-profile moves to join major esports organizations. This strategic shift comes ahead of chess's debut as an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh in 2025, where a $1.5 million prize pool awaits. Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren are now set to compete alongside Dota 2 and CS:GO professionals 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 inclusion of chess in the Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2025, with a $1.5 million prize pool, is a game-changer. The EWC, held annually in Saudi Arabia, has grown from featuring just five disciplines to now encompassing 25, as part of Saudi Arabia's vision to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030. The tournament, scheduled from June to August 2025, offers a staggering $60 million in total prize money. A unique feature of the EWC is its overall standings system, where clubs earn points for top-eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year, Team Falcons clinched victory, highlighting the importance of having a strong lineup across all games, including chess.
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Who Signed With Whom?
Magnus Carlsen
Magnus Carlsen, the 16-time World Champion and currently ranked number one by FIDE, has signed with Team Liquid. Carlsen expressed his excitement about joining what he considers the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, praised Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time," emphasizing the honor of having him on their team.
Ian Nepomniachtchi
Russia's leading chess player, Ian Nepomniachtchi, ranked ninth by FIDE, has joined 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 contribute to Aurora's ambitious esports project.
Ding Liren
Despite a recent setback in his title match against Gukesh Dommaraju, Ding Liren, ranked 17th by FIDE, has been welcomed by the legendary Chinese esports club LGD for the Esports World Cup.
Fabiano Caruana
Team Liquid has further strengthened its chess division by signing American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana, ranked second by FIDE, on a three-year contract.
Hikaru Nakamura
Five-time U.S. Chess Champion and Twitch sensation Hikaru Nakamura, ranked third by FIDE, has joined Team Falcons, adding significant star power to their lineup.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, ranked 22nd by FIDE, 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
Eighteen-year-old Volodar Murzin, fresh off his victory at the 2024 World Rapid Championship and ranked 70th by FIDE, has signed with AG Global Esports, reinforcing their commitment to excelling in the rapid chess format.
Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik
NAVI has bolstered its chess division by signing three grandmasters: Wesley So (ranked 11th by FIDE), Nodirbek Abdusattorov (ranked 6th), and Alexander Botnik (ranked 166th) for the EWC.
