In February, the Esports world was set ablaze with excitement as some of the globe's top chess grandmasters signed with major esports organizations, paving the way for their participation in one of the world's largest tournaments. The inclusion of Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren alongside Dota 2 and CS:GO professionals signals a thrilling blend of strategy and competition at the highest level.
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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 0 0 Comment on this Why Are Esports Organizations Recruiting Chess Players?
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The rationale behind esports organizations recruiting chess players is clear: in 2025, chess will make its debut as an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, boasting an impressive $1.5 million prize pool. The EWC stands as the premier global esports championship, annually hosted in Saudi Arabia. Originally launched within the Gamers8 festival featuring five disciplines—Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO—the event has grown exponentially, now covering 25 disciplines. Saudi Arabia's ambition is to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030.
Scheduled from June to August 2025, the EWC offers a staggering $60 million in total prize money. A unique feature of the competition is its overall standings system, where clubs accumulate points for top eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year's winner, Team Falcons, secured one of the 16 victory spots. To maximize their chances of success, teams are eager to have representation in every discipline, including chess.
Who Signed With Whom?
Magnus Carlsen
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Team Liquid: Magnus CarlsenFIDE Ranking: 1
The 16-time World Champion, Magnus Carlsen, has joined Team Liquid, expressing his enthusiasm about being part of what he calls 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," emphasizing the honor of his addition to their team.
Ian Nepomniachtchi
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Aurora: Ian NepomniachtchiFIDE Ranking: 9
Russia's top chess player, Ian Nepomniachtchi, signed with Aurora Gaming. Renowned for his prowess in rapid chess, highlighted by 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 an ambitious esports project.
Ding Liren
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LGD: Ding LirenFIDE Ranking: 17
Despite a recent setback in his title match against Gukesh Dommaraju, the legendary Chinese esports club LGD warmly welcomed Ding Liren to their roster for the Esports World Cup.
Fabiano Caruana
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Team Liquid: Fabiano CaruanaFIDE Ranking: 2
Team Liquid bolstered its chess strategy by signing American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana to a three-year contract, further strengthening their lineup.
Hikaru Nakamura
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Falcons: Hikaru NakamuraFIDE Ranking: 3
Five-time U.S. Chess Champion and Twitch streaming sensation Hikaru Nakamura joined Team Falcons, adding significant star power to their team.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
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Vitality: Maxime Vachier-LagraveFIDE Ranking: 22
French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has joined Vitality, a prominent French esports organization known for its competitive edge in games like CS:GO and Valorant.
Volodar Murzin
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AG Global Esports: Volodar MurzinFIDE Ranking: 70
Eighteen-year-old Volodar Murzin, following his victory at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, signed with AG Global Esports, reinforcing their dedication 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 BotnikFIDE Rankings: 11th, 6th, and 166th
NAVI enhanced its chess division by signing three grandmasters—Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik—for the Esports World Cup, aiming to dominate across multiple disciplines.
