Chess is an eSport Now

Chess, the timeless Game of Kings, is set to make a historic debut at the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC). Discover why this ancient game has been embraced as an esport.

Chess, The Game Of Kings, At EWC 2025

Officially Declared An Esport In The Competition

Chess is now one of the esports featured in the upcoming 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), the largest gaming and esports festival globally. This exciting development stems from a major partnership between Chess.com, the leading online chess platform, Grandmaster (GM) Magnus Carlsen, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF). This collaboration will introduce competitive chess to the event, spotlighting the sport to a broader audience.

Ralf Reichert, CEO of EWCF, expressed his enthusiasm for adding chess to the lineup, describing it as "the mother of all strategy games." He stated, "With its rich history, global appeal, and thriving competitive scene, chess is a perfect fit for our mission to unite the world's most popular games and their passionate communities."

GM Magnus Carlsen, the retired world champion and current world's number one player, will serve as an ambassador at the event. He is eager to bridge chess with a wider audience, saying, "I'm thrilled to see Chess join some of the biggest games in the world at the Esports World Cup. This partnership is an incredible opportunity to grow the game, by introducing chess to new audiences and inspiring the next generation of players."

To Be Held In Summer of 2025 in Saudi Arabia

The prestigious event is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 31st to August 3rd, 2025. It will gather the globe's top chess players to compete for a substantial prize pool of $1.5 million USD. To qualify for the EWC, players must rank in the online 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT) held in February and May. The top 12 players from the tournament, along with four additional players from the "Last Chance Qualifier," will vie for a $300,000 USD prize pool and a coveted spot at the world's largest esports stage, marking Chess' historic esports debut.

To attract a broader audience and particularly esports enthusiasts, the 2025 CCT will adopt a new match format. Instead of the traditional 90-minute time control used in world championships, CCT matches will be played with a 10-minute time control for the entire game, with no increment. In the event of a tie, a single Armageddon game will determine the winner.

Chess originated in ancient India around 1500 years ago and has evolved through centuries, becoming one of the world’s most popular forms of entertainment. While traditionally played on a tabletop, its transition to digital platforms like Chess.com has made it more accessible, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were confined to their homes. The game's reach has been further amplified by multimedia outlets such as streaming platforms, influencers, and popular shows like The Queen’s Gambit.

With chess now officially recognized as an esport, it is poised to attract a new wave of players and enthusiasts.