In February, the esports landscape was set ablaze with excitement as top chess grandmasters made headline-grabbing moves into the world of esports. Icons like Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren are now poised to compete alongside elite Dota 2 and CS:GO players at one of the globe's premier tournaments. This unprecedented crossover marks a thrilling new chapter in competitive gaming.
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 rationale is crystal clear: in 2025, chess is set to become an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, boasting a staggering $1.5 million prize pool. The EWC, recognized as the pinnacle of global esports championships, has been held annually in Saudi Arabia and has grown exponentially from its initial five disciplines—Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO—to now include 25 different games. Saudi Arabia's vision is to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030, and the EWC is central to this ambition.
Scheduled from June to August 2025, the EWC offers a colossal $60 million prize pool. One of its unique features is an overall standings system, rewarding clubs for top-eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year saw 16 winning spots, with Team Falcons emerging victorious. To secure the highest chances of success, teams must field players across every discipline, including chess.
Who Signed With Whom?
Magnus Carlsen
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Team Liquid: Magnus Carlsen
FIDE Ranking: 1
The 16-time World Champion, Magnus Carlsen, has signed with Team Liquid, expressing his thrill at joining what he describes as the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen sees this move as a perfect synergy with his global recognition in chess. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, lauded Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time," highlighting the honor of having him on their team.
Ian Nepomniachtchi
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Aurora: Ian Nepomniachtchi
FIDE Ranking: 9
Ian Nepomniachtchi, Russia's top chess player, has joined Aurora Gaming. Celebrated for his prowess in rapid chess, including a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi is enthusiastic about chess's inclusion in the EWC and excited to be part of an ambitious esports initiative.
Ding Liren
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LGD: Ding Liren
FIDE Ranking: 17
Despite a recent challenge 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 reinforced its chess strategy by signing American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana to a three-year contract, doubling down on their commitment to excel in the EWC.
Hikaru Nakamura
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Falcons: Hikaru Nakamura
FIDE Ranking: 3
Five-time U.S. Chess Champion and a Twitch streaming sensation, Hikaru Nakamura, has joined Team Falcons, adding significant star power to their lineup.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
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Vitality: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
FIDE Ranking: 22
The French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has joined 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 Murzin
FIDE Ranking: 70
Eighteen-year-old Volodar Murzin, following his triumph at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, has signed with AG Global Esports, underlining their focus on the rapid chess format.
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 strengthened its chess division by signing three grandmasters—Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik—for the EWC.
