Grandmasters Enter the Esports Arena: How Chess Joined Forces with Top Teams

In February, the esports community buzzed with excitement as several of the world's top chess players signed with major esports organizations, setting the stage for their participation in one of the largest global tournaments. Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren are now poised to compete alongside Dota 2 and CS:GO professionals at the Esports World Cup (EWC).

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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Why Are Esports Organizations Recruiting Chess Players?

The inclusion of chess as an official discipline at the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, with a $1.5 million prize pool, is the driving force behind these signings. The EWC, a premier global esports championship held annually in Saudi Arabia, has grown significantly since its inception as part of the Gamers8 festival, which initially featured only five disciplines: Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO. Now, the event encompasses 25 disciplines as Saudi Arabia aims to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030.

Scheduled from June to August 2025, the EWC will offer a staggering $60 million prize pool. A key feature of the competition is the overall standings system, where clubs earn points for finishing in the top eight across all disciplines. Last year, Team Falcons clinched victory with 16 winning spots. To maximize their chances of success, it's crucial for teams to have representation in all disciplines, 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 joined Team Liquid, expressing his excitement about being part of the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen sees the collaboration as a perfect fit for his status as one of the most recognized chess players globally. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, described Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time" and emphasized the honor of having him join their ranks.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

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Aurora: Ian Nepomniachtchi
FIDE Ranking: 9
Russia's leading chess player, Ian Nepomniachtchi, signed with Aurora Gaming. Known for his strong performance in rapid chess, including a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi praised the inclusion of chess in the EWC and expressed enthusiasm about joining 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, the legendary Chinese esports club LGD welcomed Ding Liren to their roster for the Esports World Cup.

Fabiano Caruana

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Team Liquid: Fabiano Caruana
FIDE Ranking: 2
Team Liquid doubled down on its chess strategy by signing another top-tier player, 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 joined Team Falcons, adding star power to their lineup.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

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Vitality: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
FIDE Ranking: 22
The French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave became 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, 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 bolstered its chess division by signing three grandmasters: Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik for the EWC.