Chess Grandmasters Team Up with Esports Giants

In February, the Esports world was set ablaze with excitement as top chess grandmasters made headline-grabbing moves by signing with major esports organizations. Icons such as Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren are now poised to showcase their skills alongside Dota 2 and CS:GO professionals at one of the globe's most prestigious tournaments.

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, set for 2025, is the driving force behind this trend. With a substantial $1.5 million prize pool for chess alone, the EWC has become the premier global esports championship. Initially launched as part of the Gamers8 gaming festival with five disciplines (Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO), the event has now expanded to include 25 disciplines. Saudi Arabia's ambition to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030 is fueling this growth. The EWC, scheduled from June to August 2025, boasts a total prize pool of $60 million. The competition features an overall standings system where clubs earn points for top-eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year, Team Falcons emerged victorious among 16 winning spots. To maximize their chances of success, esports organizations are keen on having representation 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 has signed with Team Liquid, expressing his enthusiasm about joining what he describes as the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen views this collaboration as a perfect fit for his status as one of the most recognized chess players globally. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, hailed 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 top chess player, Ian Nepomniachtchi, has signed with Aurora Gaming. Known for his prowess in rapid chess, including a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi is thrilled about chess's inclusion in the EWC and eager to be part of an ambitious esports project.

Ding Liren

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LGD: Ding Liren
FIDE Ranking: 17
Despite a recent title match setback against Gukesh Dommaraju, the legendary Chinese esports club LGD has 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 has further solidified its chess strategy by signing the 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 sensation Hikaru Nakamura has joined Team Falcons, bringing significant 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 has become the latest addition to Vitality, a well-known French esports organization with a strong 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, who recently triumphed at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, has 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 has bolstered its chess division by signing three grandmasters—Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik—for the EWC.