Chess Grandmasters Team Up with Esports Giants

In February, the esports landscape was set ablaze with excitement as top-tier chess grandmasters made historic moves into the world of competitive gaming. Legends such as Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren have aligned themselves with leading esports organizations, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown at the upcoming Esports World Cup (EWC).

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?

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The motivation behind this chess-esports fusion is clear: in 2025, chess will debut as an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, featuring a substantial $1.5 million prize pool. The EWC, recognized as the premier global esports championship and hosted annually in Saudi Arabia, has grown significantly since its inception at the Gamers8 festival. Originally showcasing just five disciplines including Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO, it now spans an impressive 25 disciplines. Saudi Arabia's ambition to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030 is fueling this expansion.

Scheduled from June to August 2025, the EWC will offer a staggering $60 million total prize pool. A unique aspect of the competition is the overall standings system, rewarding clubs for top-eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year's event saw 16 winning spots, with Team Falcons emerging victorious. With such high stakes, it's imperative for teams to field competitors in every discipline, including chess.

Who Signed With Whom?

Magnus Carlsen

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• Team: Team Liquid
• FIDE Ranking: 1

The 16-time World Champion, Magnus Carlsen, has joined Team Liquid, expressing enthusiasm about being part of the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen views this partnership as a perfect match for his status as a globally recognized chess player. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, hailed Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time," underscoring the honor of his inclusion in their team.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

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• Team: Aurora
• FIDE Ranking: 9

Russia's chess prodigy, Ian Nepomniachtchi, has signed with Aurora Gaming. Known for his prowess in rapid chess and a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi is excited about chess's inclusion in the EWC and eager to contribute to an ambitious esports venture.

Ding Liren

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• Team: LGD
• FIDE Ranking: 17

Despite a recent setback in his title match against Gukesh Dommaraju, Ding Liren, a chess legend from China, has been welcomed by LGD, a storied esports club, to compete in the Esports World Cup.

Fabiano Caruana

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• Team: Team Liquid
• FIDE Ranking: 2

Team Liquid further strengthened its chess roster by signing American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana to a three-year contract, doubling down on its chess strategy.

Hikaru Nakamura

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• Team: Falcons
• FIDE Ranking: 3

Hikaru Nakamura, a five-time U.S. Chess Champion and a popular figure on Twitch, has joined Team Falcons, adding significant star power to their lineup.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

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• Team: Vitality
• FIDE Ranking: 22

The French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has become the latest recruit for Vitality, a prominent French esports organization known for its strong presence in CS:GO and Valorant.

Volodar Murzin

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• Team: AG Global Esports
• FIDE Ranking: 70

At just 18 years old, Volodar Murzin, fresh off his victory at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, has signed with AG Global Esports, emphasizing their commitment to excelling in the rapid chess format.

Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik

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• Team: NAVI
• FIDE Rankings: 11th, 6th, and 166th

NAVI has bolstered its chess division by signing three grandmasters: Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik, preparing for a strong showing at the EWC.