In February, the Esports scene was electrified by a series of high-profile signings as some of the world's top chess players joined major esports organizations. Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren are now set to compete alongside Dota 2 and CS:GO pros at one of the largest tournaments on the global stage.

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 0 0 Comment on this Why Are Esports Organizations Recruiting Chess Players?

Image: x.com

The reason is clear: in 2025, chess will make its debut as an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, with a staggering $1.5 million prize pool. The EWC, a premier global esports championship held annually in Saudi Arabia, has expanded significantly since its inception as part of the Gamers8 gaming festival. Originally featuring just five disciplines — Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO — the event now encompasses 25 disciplines. Saudi Arabia's vision is to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030.

Scheduled from June to August 2025, the EWC offers a total prize pool of $60 million. A standout feature of the competition is its overall standings system, where clubs accumulate points for top-eight finishes across all disciplines. Last year, Team Falcons emerged victorious, securing one of the 16 winning spots. To maximize their success, teams are keen on having representation in every discipline, including chess.

Who Signed With Whom?

Magnus Carlsen

Image: x.com

Team Liquid: Magnus CarlsenFIDE Ranking: 1The 16-time World Champion signed with Team Liquid, expressing excitement about being part of the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen believes the collaboration is a perfect fit for his status as one of the most recognized chess players globally. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, described Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time" and emphasized the honor of having him join their ranks.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Image: x.com

Aurora: Ian NepomniachtchiFIDE Ranking: 9Russia's leading chess player, Ian Nepomniachtchi, signed with Aurora Gaming. Known for his prowess in rapid chess, including a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi praised the inclusion of chess in the EWC and expressed enthusiasm about joining an ambitious esports project.

Ding Liren

Image: x.com

LGD: Ding LirenFIDE Ranking: 17Despite a recent setback in his title match against Gukesh Dommaraju, the legendary Chinese esports club LGD welcomed Ding Liren to their roster for the Esports World Cup.

Fabiano Caruana

Image: x.com

Team Liquid: Fabiano CaruanaFIDE Ranking: 2Liquid doubled down on its chess strategy by signing another top-tier player, American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana, on a three-year contract.

Hikaru Nakamura

Image: x.com

Falcons: Hikaru NakamuraFIDE Ranking: 3Five-time U.S. Chess Champion and Twitch sensation Hikaru Nakamura joined Team Falcons, adding significant star power to their lineup.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

Image: x.com

Vitality: Maxime Vachier-LagraveFIDE Ranking: 22The French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave became the latest addition to Vitality, a prominent French esports organization known for its competitive presence in games like CS:GO and Valorant.

Volodar Murzin

Image: x.com

AG Global Esports: Volodar MurzinFIDE Ranking: 70Eighteen-year-old Volodar Murzin, fresh off his victory at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, signed with AG Global Esports, reinforcing their commitment to excelling in the rapid chess format.

Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik

Image: x.com

NAVI: Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander BotnikFIDE Rankings: 11th, 6th, and 166thNAVI bolstered its chess division by signing three grandmasters — Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik — for the EWC.