Grandmasters Enter the Esports Arena: How Chess Joined Forces with Top Teams

In February, the esports community was abuzz with excitement as several of the world's top chess grandmasters signed with major esports organizations, setting the stage for a thrilling competition at one of the largest global tournaments. Grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren are now poised to compete alongside Dota 2 and CS:GO professionals at the Esports World Cup (EWC).

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

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 2025, with a $1.5 million prize pool, is a significant factor driving this trend. The EWC, held annually in Saudi Arabia, has grown from its initial five disciplines (Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO) to now include 25 disciplines. Saudi Arabia's vision to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030 has fueled this expansion.

Scheduled from June to August 2025, the EWC features a massive $60 million prize pool. The competition's unique overall standings system rewards clubs for top-eight finishes across all disciplines, making it crucial for teams to have a strong representation in every category, including chess. Last year, Team Falcons emerged victorious among the 16 winning spots, showcasing the importance of strategic recruitment.

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 what he considers the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen sees this collaboration as a perfect fit 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 expressed the honor of having him on their team.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

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Aurora: Ian Nepomniachtchi
FIDE Ranking: 9
Russia's leading chess player, Ian Nepomniachtchi, signed with Aurora Gaming. Known for his strong performances 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

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LGD: Ding Liren
FIDE Ranking: 17
Despite a recent setback in his title match against Gukesh Dommaraju, Ding Liren has been welcomed to the roster of the legendary Chinese esports club LGD, gearing up for the Esports World Cup.

Fabiano Caruana

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Team Liquid: Fabiano Caruana
FIDE Ranking: 2
Team Liquid further solidified its chess strategy by signing American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana on a three-year contract, adding another top-tier player to their lineup.

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 team.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

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Vitality: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
FIDE Ranking: 22
French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has become 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
The eighteen-year-old Volodar Murzin, fresh off his victory 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 Esports World Cup.