Chess Grandmasters Team Up with Esports Giants

In February, the esports world was set ablaze with excitement as top chess grandmasters made historic moves by signing with major esports organizations. Icons like Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren are now poised to compete alongside seasoned Dota 2 and CS:GO professionals at one of the most anticipated global 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

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Why Are Esports Organizations Recruiting Chess Players?

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The answer is clear: chess is set to debut as an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh in 2025, with a remarkable $1.5 million prize pool. The EWC, held annually in Saudi Arabia, has evolved from the Gamers8 festival, initially featuring just five disciplines— Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO—to now encompassing 25 disciplines. Saudi Arabia's vision is to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030.

The EWC, scheduled from June to August 2025, will offer a staggering $60 million in total prize money. A unique aspect of the competition is its overall standings system, rewarding clubs with points for top-eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year, Team Falcons clinched victory among 16 winning spots. To optimize their chances, teams are keen on having strong 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 enthusiasm about partnering with what he calls the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen believes this collaboration is a natural 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 the honor of having him on their team.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

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Aurora: Ian Nepomniachtchi
FIDE Ranking: 9
Russia's leading chess player, Ian Nepomniachtchi, has signed with Aurora Gaming. Known for his prowess in rapid chess, highlighted by his third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi is thrilled about chess being included in the EWC and joining such an ambitious esports project.

Ding Liren

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LGD: Ding Liren
FIDE Ranking: 17
Despite a recent defeat in his title match against Gukesh Dommaraju, Ding Liren has been welcomed by the legendary Chinese esports club LGD to bolster 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 strategy by securing the talents of American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana on a three-year contract.

Hikaru Nakamura

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

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

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Vitality: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
FIDE Ranking: 22
French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has joined Vitality, a renowned French esports organization known for its competitive prowess in games like CS:GO and Valorant.

Volodar Murzin

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AG Global Esports: Volodar Murzin
FIDE Ranking: 70
The 18-year-old Volodar Murzin, fresh from his triumph at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, has signed with AG Global Esports, underscoring their dedication 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 enhanced its chess division by signing three grandmasters—Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik—for the EWC.