eSports Expands with Chess Joining the Arena

Chess Makes its Esports Debut at the 2025 Esports World Cup!

The ancient game of chess is making headlines as a newly added esport to the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), the world's premier gaming and esports festival. This unprecedented move, a result of a major collaboration between Chess.com, Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), promises to introduce chess to a vastly expanded audience.

EWCF CEO Ralf Reichert hailed chess as "the mother of all strategy games," emphasizing its historical significance, global appeal, and vibrant competitive scene as perfect attributes for the EWC. The inclusion of chess aligns perfectly with the EWC's mission to unite diverse gaming communities worldwide.

World champion and top-ranked player Magnus Carlsen will serve as an ambassador, aiming to connect chess with a broader demographic. He expressed excitement about this partnership, viewing it as a pivotal opportunity to expand the game's reach and inspire future generations of players.

Riyadh 2025: A $1.5 Million Showdown

The EWC chess competition, boasting a $1.5 million prize pool, will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 31st to August 3rd, 2025. Qualification will be determined through the 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT), held in February and May. The top 12 CCT players, along with four from a "Last Chance Qualifier," will compete for a $300,000 prize pool and a coveted spot in the EWC, marking chess's historic entry into the esports arena.

To enhance the appeal to esports fans, the 2025 CCT will feature a modified format. Matches will utilize a 10-minute time control without increment, a departure from the traditional 90-minute format of world championships. Tiebreakers will be decided through a single Armageddon game.

With roots tracing back 1500 years to ancient India, chess has endured through the ages, evolving into a globally popular pastime. Its digital adaptation, facilitated by platforms like Chess.com, and the rise of esports have significantly broadened its accessibility, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further propelled by streaming services, influencers, and popular media such as "The Queen's Gambit," chess is now poised for even greater prominence with its official recognition as an esport.