Chess Grandmasters Team Up with Esports Giants

In February, the esports community buzzed with excitement as a groundbreaking wave of signings swept through the scene, marking a historic moment where some of the world's top chess players joined major esports organizations. Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren are now poised to compete alongside elite Dota 2 and CS:GO professionals at one of the most prestigious 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

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The reason behind this chess-eSports fusion is clear: in 2025, chess will debut as an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, boasting a substantial $1.5 million prize pool. The EWC, recognized as the premier global esports championship, has been held annually in Saudi Arabia for several years.

Originally part of the Gamers8 gaming festival featuring just five disciplines—Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO—the event has since expanded to encompass 25 disciplines. Saudi Arabia aims to position itself as the "global hub of esports" by 2030.

Scheduled from June to August 2025, the EWC will feature a staggering $60 million prize pool. A standout feature of the competition is the overall standings system, where clubs earn points for finishing in the top eight across all disciplines. Last year, there were 16 winning spots, with Team Falcons claiming victory. To maximize their chances of success, it's crucial for teams to have representation across all disciplines, 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 joined Team Liquid, expressing his excitement about being part of the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen views the collaboration as a perfect match for his status as one of the most recognized chess players globally. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, praised Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time" and highlighted the honor of having him join their ranks.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

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Aurora: Ian Nepomniachtchi
FIDE Ranking: 9
Ian Nepomniachtchi, Russia's leading chess player, signed with Aurora Gaming. Known for his strong performance in rapid chess, including a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi commended the inclusion of chess in the EWC and expressed enthusiasm about joining 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, the legendary Chinese esports club LGD 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 reinforced its chess strategy by signing another top-tier player, 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 Twitch sensation Hikaru Nakamura joined Team Falcons, adding 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 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

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AG Global Esports: Volodar Murzin
FIDE Ranking: 70
Eighteen-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

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