Chess Grandmasters Team Up with Esports Giants

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

Table of Contents

• 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

Why Are Esports Organizations Recruiting Chess Players?

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The inclusion of chess as an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh in 2025, with a $1.5 million prize pool, has sparked this trend. The EWC, an annual event held in Saudi Arabia, has grown from featuring just five disciplines (Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO) to now encompassing 25. Saudi Arabia's ambition to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030 is driving this expansion.

Scheduled from June to August 2025, the EWC will offer a total prize pool of $60 million. The competition includes an overall standings system where clubs earn points based on their top-eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year, 16 teams secured winning spots, with Team Falcons emerging as the champions. To maximize their chances of success, esports organizations are keen on having top talent in every discipline, 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 signed with Team Liquid, expressing his enthusiasm about joining what he calls the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen views the partnership as a perfect match for his global recognition in chess. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, hailed Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time" and expressed the honor of having him on the team.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

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Aurora: Ian Nepomniachtchi
FIDE Ranking: 9
Ian Nepomniachtchi, Russia's leading chess player, has joined Aurora Gaming. Known for his prowess in rapid chess, Nepomniachtchi achieved a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship. He expressed his excitement about chess being included in the EWC and his eagerness to be part of 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, Ding Liren has been welcomed by the legendary Chinese esports club LGD to 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 lineup by signing 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 a popular Twitch streamer, Hikaru Nakamura, has added his star power to Team Falcons' roster.

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
Eighteen-year-old Volodar Murzin, fresh from his victory at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, has signed with AG Global Esports, showcasing 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 has bolstered its chess division by signing three grandmasters: Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik, in preparation for the EWC.