eSports: Chess Ascends to Digital Arena

Chess Makes its Esports Debut at the 2025 Esports World Cup

The Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 tournament lineup has a surprising new addition: chess! This ancient game joins the ranks of esports, marking a historic moment for the millennia-old strategy game.

Chess Officially Recognized as an Esport

A landmark partnership between Chess.com, chess Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) brings competitive chess to the world's largest gaming and esports festival. This collaboration aims to introduce the classic game to a broader, more modern audience.

EWCF CEO Ralf Reichert hailed chess as "the mother of all strategy games," expressing excitement about its inclusion in the EWC. He noted its global appeal and vibrant competitive scene as a perfect fit for the event's mission to unite diverse gaming communities.

Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, a retired world champion and current world number one, will serve as an ambassador, aiming to connect chess with a wider audience. He expressed his enthusiasm for chess's inclusion alongside other major esports titles, viewing it as a powerful opportunity to grow the game and inspire future generations of players.

Riyadh 2025: A $1.5 Million Showdown

The EWC 2025 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 31st to August 3rd. Top chess players from around the world will compete for a substantial $1.5 million prize pool. Qualification will be determined through the 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT), held in February and May. The top 12 CCT players, along with four from a "Last Chance Qualifier," will vie for a $300,000 prize pool and a coveted spot in the EWC, marking chess's inaugural esports appearance.

To engage a wider esports audience, the 2025 CCT will feature a modified format. Instead of the standard 90-minute time control, matches will use a 10-minute time limit with no increment. Tiebreakers will be decided by a single Armageddon game.

With roots in ancient India dating back 1500 years, chess has evolved over centuries, becoming a globally popular pastime. Its digital transition, facilitated by platforms like Chess.com, and its subsequent embrace by the esports community has made the game significantly more accessible, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Popular media, including streaming platforms and shows like "The Queen's Gambit," have further broadened chess's appeal.

Its official recognition as an esport promises to attract even more players and enthusiasts to this timeless game.