In February, the esports community was buzzing with excitement as some of the world's top chess grandmasters made significant moves into the competitive gaming world. Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren have now joined forces with renowned esports organizations to compete at the Esports World Cup (EWC), one of the most prestigious tournaments on the global stage. This move aligns with the inclusion of chess as an official discipline at the 2025 EWC, marking a historic moment for the sport.
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
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The inclusion of chess in the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, featuring a $1.5 million prize pool, is the driving force behind these high-profile signings. The EWC, established as part of the Gamers8 festival and now a premier global esports championship, has grown tremendously from its initial lineup of five disciplines (Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO) to now include 25 disciplines. Saudi Arabia's vision to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030 underscores this expansion. The EWC, scheduled from June to August 2025, offers a massive $60 million prize pool and features an overall standings system where clubs earn points for top-eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year, Team Falcons clinched the victory, highlighting the importance of having a diverse lineup, including chess, to maximize success.
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 excitement about joining what he considers the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen sees this collaboration as a perfect fit, given his status as one of the most recognized chess players globally. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, praised Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time" and expressed honor in 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 is enthusiastic about the inclusion of chess in the EWC and eager to contribute to Aurora's 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, reinforcing 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 division by signing American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana on a three-year contract, doubling down on their commitment to excel in the sport.
Hikaru Nakamura
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Falcons: Hikaru Nakamura
FIDE Ranking: 3
Five-time U.S. Chess Champion and Twitch sensation Hikaru Nakamura has added his star power to Team Falcons, enhancing their competitive lineup.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
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Vitality: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
FIDE Ranking: 22
French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has joined 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 Esports World Cup.
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