In February, the esports world was set ablaze with excitement as top chess grandmasters joined major esports organizations, setting the stage for an unprecedented clash at the Esports World Cup (EWC). Chess legends such as Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren are now ready to compete alongside Dota 2 and CS:GO professionals in one of the largest tournaments on the global stage.
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?
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The inclusion of chess in the Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2025 has sparked a surge in interest from esports organizations. With a staggering $1.5 million prize pool dedicated to chess, the EWC, held annually in Saudi Arabia, is poised to become the premier global esports championship. Initially featuring just five disciplines at its inception as part of the Gamers8 festival—Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO—the event has since expanded to include 25 disciplines. Saudi Arabia's ambition to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030 is driving this growth.
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 teams earn points for top-eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year, Team Falcons clinched victory, highlighting the importance of a diverse lineup. To maximize their chances of success, esports organizations are eager to recruit top chess talent.
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 enthusiasm about joining what he describes as the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen believes this collaboration aligns perfectly with his status as one of the most recognized chess players globally. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, lauded 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 Nepomniachtchi
FIDE Ranking: 9
Ian Nepomniachtchi, Russia's leading chess player, has joined Aurora Gaming. Known for his prowess in rapid chess, including a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi praised the addition of chess to the EWC and is excited to be part of 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, 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 Caruana
FIDE Ranking: 2
Team Liquid has further solidified its chess strategy by signing American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana on a three-year contract.
Hikaru Nakamura
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Falcons: Hikaru Nakamura
FIDE Ranking: 3
Five-time U.S. Chess Champion and Twitch sensation Hikaru Nakamura has joined Team Falcons, bringing star power to their lineup.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
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Vitality: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
FIDE Ranking: 22
French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has become the latest addition to Vitality, a prominent French esports organization known for its competitive presence 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, fresh off his victory at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, has signed with AG Global Esports, reinforcing their commitment 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 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 EWC.
