In February, the esports community was buzzing with excitement as top-tier chess grandmasters joined forces with major esports organizations, setting the stage for their participation in the prestigious Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2025. This move signifies a significant step in integrating chess into the competitive esports landscape, highlighted by the inclusion of chess as an official discipline at the EWC in Riyadh, boasting a $1.5 million prize pool.

The EWC, known for its massive $60 million total prize pool, will take place from June to August 2025. This event, which began as part of the Gamers8 festival and initially featured five disciplines (Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO), has now expanded to include 25 disciplines. Saudi Arabia's vision to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030 is driving this expansion. The competition's unique overall standings system rewards teams for top-eight finishes across all disciplines, making the inclusion of chess players crucial for teams aiming to secure victory, as demonstrated by Team Falcons' success last year.

Here's a detailed look at the high-profile signings:

Magnus Carlsen

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Team Liquid: Magnus Carlsen
FIDE Ranking: 1
The 16-time World Champion, Magnus Carlsen, has signed with Team Liquid, expressing enthusiasm about joining what he considers the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen views this partnership as a perfect fit for his status as a globally recognized chess player. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, hailed Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time," highlighting the honor of having him on their team.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

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Aurora: Ian Nepomniachtchi
FIDE Ranking: 9
Russia's top chess player, Ian Nepomniachtchi, has joined Aurora Gaming. Known for his prowess in rapid chess, including a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi is excited about chess's inclusion in the EWC and eager to contribute to Aurora's ambitious esports project.

Ding Liren

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LGD: Ding Liren
FIDE Ranking: 17
Despite a recent title match setback, Ding Liren has been welcomed by the legendary Chinese esports club LGD, gearing up for the Esports World Cup.

Fabiano Caruana

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Team Liquid: Fabiano Caruana
FIDE Ranking: 2
Further strengthening their chess roster, Team Liquid signed American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana on a three-year contract.

Hikaru Nakamura

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Falcons: Hikaru Nakamura
FIDE Ranking: 3
The five-time U.S. Chess Champion and Twitch star, Hikaru Nakamura, has added his flair to Team Falcons, enhancing 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 prominent 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
Following his win at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, 18-year-old Volodar Murzin signed with AG Global Esports, underlining their focus on excelling in rapid chess.

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 strengthened its chess division by recruiting three grandmasters—Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik—for the EWC.

The inclusion of chess in the EWC and these strategic signings by esports organizations are poised to revolutionize the competitive gaming scene, blending the strategic depth of chess with the dynamic world of esports.