Chess Grandmasters Team Up with Esports Giants

In February, the esports world was set ablaze with excitement as some of the planet's most renowned chess grandmasters joined forces with major esports organizations. The likes of Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren are now poised to compete alongside Dota 2 and CS:GO professionals at one of the globe's premier tournaments.

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 as an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh in 2025, with a staggering $1.5 million prize pool, is the driving force behind this trend. The EWC, a leading global esports championship held annually in Saudi Arabia, has grown significantly since its inception as part of the Gamers8 festival, expanding from five to 25 disciplines. Saudi Arabia's vision to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030 underscores the strategic importance of chess in this landscape.

The EWC, scheduled from June to August 2025, will feature a $60 million total prize pool. A crucial aspect of the event is the overall standings system, where clubs earn points based on top eight finishes across all disciplines. With 16 winning spots up for grabs last year, claimed by Team Falcons, it's imperative for teams to field competitors in 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 eagerness to join what he believes is "the biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen views this partnership as a natural progression for his global chess stature. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, hailed Carlsen as "the greatest chess player of all time," highlighting the honor of his inclusion in their team.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

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Aurora: Ian Nepomniachtchi
FIDE Ranking: 9
Russia's chess prodigy, Ian Nepomniachtchi, has joined Aurora Gaming. Celebrated for his prowess in rapid chess, including a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi is thrilled about chess's inclusion in the EWC and eager to be part of an ambitious esports endeavor.

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, ready to represent them at 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 to a three-year contract, doubling down on their commitment to excel in the chess arena.

Hikaru Nakamura

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Falcons: Hikaru Nakamura
FIDE Ranking: 3
The five-time U.S. Chess Champion and Twitch star, Hikaru Nakamura, has joined Team Falcons, bringing his star power to their roster.

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 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, fresh from his victory at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, has signed with AG Global Esports, reinforcing their dedication to mastering 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, gearing up for the Esports World Cup.