Chess Makes its Esports Debut at the 2025 Esports World Cup

The 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), the world's premier gaming and esports festival, is making headlines with a surprising addition to its lineup: chess! This ancient game joins the ranks of esports, a move that's capturing global attention.

A Historic Partnership Ushers in a New Era for Chess

A groundbreaking collaboration between Chess.com, chess Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) brings competitive chess to the EWC for the first time. This partnership aims to introduce the classic game to a wider audience, highlighting its strategic depth and global appeal.

EWCF CEO Ralf Reichert expressed his excitement, calling chess "the ultimate strategy game." He emphasized the game's perfect alignment with the EWC's mission to unite diverse gaming communities.

Magnus Carlsen, a retired world champion and current world number one, will serve as an ambassador, aiming to connect chess with a new generation of players. He expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership's potential to expand the game's reach and inspire future chess masters.

Riyadh 2025: A $1.5 Million Showdown

The EWC will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 31st to August 3rd, 2025. Top chess players from around the world will compete for a staggering $1.5 million prize pool. Qualification will be determined through the 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT), held in February and May. The top 12 players, along with four from a "Last Chance Qualifier," will vie for a $300,000 prize pool and a place in this historic esports event.

To enhance the appeal for esports fans, the 2025 CCT will feature a new, faster format. Matches will use a 10-minute time control with no increment, and tiebreakers will be decided by a single Armageddon game.

Chess, originating in ancient India over 1500 years ago, has evolved across centuries, becoming a globally loved pastime. Its digital adaptation, particularly through platforms like Chess.com, has broadened its accessibility, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The game's popularity has also been boosted by streaming platforms, influencers, and popular culture, including shows like The Queen's Gambit.

With its official recognition as an esport, chess is poised for even greater growth and a new wave of players and enthusiasts.