In February, the esports community was buzzing with excitement as several top chess grandmasters made significant moves into the world of competitive gaming. Chess icons such as Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren have now aligned themselves with major esports teams, gearing up to compete in the prestigious Esports World Cup (EWC) alongside Dota 2 and CS:GO professionals.
Table of Content
- 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 2025 Esports World Cup, set to take place in Riyadh with a whopping $1.5 million prize pool, is the driving force behind this trend. The EWC, a leading global esports championship hosted annually in Saudi Arabia, has expanded from its initial five disciplines—Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO—to now include 25 different competitive categories. Saudi Arabia's vision is to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030, and the EWC, with its $60 million total prize pool, is a crucial part of this ambitious goal.
The EWC's unique scoring system, which rewards clubs for top-eight finishes across all disciplines, necessitates a well-rounded team. Last year, Team Falcons clinched the overall championship, highlighting the importance of having strong competitors in every category. Thus, recruiting chess grandmasters is a strategic move to maximize points and enhance the chances of success at the tournament.
Who Signed With Whom?
Magnus Carlsen
Image: x.com
Team Liquid: Magnus Carlsen
FIDE Ranking: 1
The 16-time World Chess Champion, Magnus Carlsen, has joined Team Liquid, expressing his thrill at being part of the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen views this partnership as an ideal 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 the team.
Ian Nepomniachtchi
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Aurora: Ian Nepomniachtchi
FIDE Ranking: 9
Russia's leading 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 excited about the inclusion of chess in the EWC and eager to contribute to 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
Image: x.com
Falcons: Hikaru Nakamura
FIDE Ranking: 3
The five-time U.S. Chess Champion and popular Twitch streamer Hikaru Nakamura has joined Team Falcons, adding significant star power to their team.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
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Vitality: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
FIDE Ranking: 22
French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has joined Vitality, a leading French esports organization renowned for its competitive teams 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, who recently triumphed at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, has signed with AG Global Esports, reinforcing their commitment to rapid chess excellence.
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 Esports World Cup.
