Chess Grandmasters Team Up with Esports Giants

In February, the esports community was abuzz with excitement as several top-tier chess grandmasters signed with major esports organizations. This move sets the stage for an unprecedented event where chess legends like Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren will compete alongside professional Dota 2 and CS:GO players at one of the largest global tournaments.

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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 inclusion of chess in esports is driven by its upcoming debut as an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh in 2025. With a staggering $1.5 million prize pool dedicated to chess, the EWC is poised to be the premier global esports championship. Initially part of the Gamers8 festival featuring just five disciplines, the EWC has now expanded to include 25 disciplines, reflecting Saudi Arabia's ambition to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030.

Scheduled from June to August 2025, the EWC offers a total prize pool of $60 million. A unique aspect of the tournament is its overall standings system, where clubs earn points for top-eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year, Team Falcons clinched the top spot among 16 winning teams. To maximize their chances of success, esports organizations are keen on having strong 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 signed with Team Liquid, expressing his enthusiasm 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 NepomniachtchiFIDE Ranking: 9

Russia's top chess player, Ian Nepomniachtchi, has joined Aurora Gaming. Known for his prowess in rapid chess, including 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 Aurora's 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, Ding Liren has been welcomed by the legendary Chinese esports club LGD to their roster for the Esports World Cup.

Fabiano Caruana

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Team Liquid: Fabiano CaruanaFIDE Ranking: 2

Team Liquid has further strengthened its chess lineup by signing American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana on a three-year contract, doubling down on their strategy to dominate in chess at the EWC.

Hikaru Nakamura

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Falcons: Hikaru NakamuraFIDE Ranking: 3

The five-time U.S. Chess Champion and popular Twitch streamer, Hikaru Nakamura, has joined Team Falcons, bringing his star power to their esports lineup.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

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Vitality: Maxime Vachier-LagraveFIDE Ranking: 22

French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has signed with Vitality, a leading 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, fresh from his victory at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, has signed with AG Global Esports, reinforcing their commitment to excel in the rapid chess format at the EWC.

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 has bolstered its chess division by signing three grandmasters: Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik, for the Esports World Cup, aiming to leverage their skills to secure a strong position in the tournament.