February 2025 marked a historic moment in the esports world as some of the most celebrated chess grandmasters officially joined major esports organizations. Among the notable names were Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren—three titans of the chessboard now set to share the spotlight with elite Dota 2 and CS:GO players at one of the biggest global esports events.
Why Are Esports Organizations Recruiting Chess Players?
The reason behind this unexpected but strategic move is simple: chess is making its official debut as a competitive discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With a prize pool of $1.5 million allocated specifically for chess, and an overall event purse of $60 million, teams are eager to secure top-tier talent across all 25 participating disciplines.
Originally launched under the Gamers8 festival banner with just five games—Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO—the EWC has rapidly expanded into one of the most prestigious annual esports events worldwide. As part of Saudi Arabia’s broader vision to become the “global hub of esports” by 2030, the inclusion of chess adds a new layer of prestige and diversity to the competition.
Scheduled from June to August 2025, the EWC features a unique points-based system where teams earn points based on their top-eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year saw 16 winning spots, with Team Falcons emerging victorious. To maximize their chances in the overall standings, organizations must field competitive rosters in every category—including chess.
Who Signed With Whom?
Magnus Carlsen
- Team: Team Liquid
- FIDE Ranking: 1
A 16-time World Champion, Magnus Carlsen made headlines by joining Team Liquid. He expressed enthusiasm about being part of what he calls "the biggest and best esports organization in the world." Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Team Liquid, praised Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time" and highlighted the honor of having him represent the team at the EWC.
Ian Nepomniachtchi
- Team: Aurora Gaming
- FIDE Ranking: 9
Russian grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi, known for his dominance in rapid formats including a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, signed with Aurora Gaming. He voiced strong support for chess’s inclusion in the EWC and welcomed the opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking esports initiative.
Ding Liren
- Team: LGD
- FIDE Ranking: 17
Despite recently losing his title match to Gukesh Dommaraju, Ding Liren was welcomed by the iconic Chinese esports brand LGD. His addition strengthens the team’s presence in the newly added chess discipline at the EWC.
Fabiano Caruana
- Team: Team Liquid
- FIDE Ranking: 2
Team Liquid doubled down on their chess ambitions by signing American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana on a three-year contract, further solidifying their roster alongside Carlsen.
Hikaru Nakamura
- Team: Team Falcons
- FIDE Ranking: 3
Five-time U.S. Chess Champion and popular Twitch streamer Hikaru Nakamura joined Team Falcons, bringing both elite skill and massive online visibility to the squad.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
- Team: Vitality
- FIDE Ranking: 22
French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave signed with Vitality, a well-established French esports brand competing in titles like CS:GO and Valorant. This partnership marks another high-profile move in Vitality's continued expansion.
Volodar Murzin
- Team: AG Global Esports
- FIDE Ranking: 70
At just 18 years old, Volodar Murzin—fresh off his win at the 2024 World Rapid Championship—signed with AG Global Esports, reinforcing the team’s focus on excelling in the rapid chess format.
Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik
- Team: NAVI
- FIDE Rankings: 11th, 6th, and 166th respectively
NAVI expanded their chess division by signing Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik ahead of the EWC. This trio brings depth and versatility to NAVI’s lineup, ensuring they’re well-positioned to compete across multiple formats.
