Chess is an eSport Now

Chess Makes its Esports Debut at the 2025 Esports World Cup!

The ancient game of chess is stepping onto the esports stage! The 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), the world's premier gaming and esports festival, has announced chess as a featured esport. This unprecedented move is the result of a significant collaboration between Chess.com, Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF).

A Historic Partnership Elevates Chess to the Global Stage

World champion and top-ranked player GM Magnus Carlsen will serve as an ambassador, aiming to introduce chess to a wider audience and inspire future generations of players. He expressed his enthusiasm for chess joining the world's biggest esports games at the EWC.

Riyadh 2025: A $1.5 Million Showdown

The EWC 2025, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 31st to August 3rd, will feature a $1.5 million prize pool. To qualify, players must excel in the 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT), held in February and May. The top 12 CCT players, along with four "Last Chance Qualifier" winners, will compete for a $300,000 prize pool and a coveted spot in the EWC's inaugural chess competition.

The CCT will adopt a faster, more esports-friendly format: 10-minute games with no increment, and Armageddon tiebreakers. This change aims to broaden appeal to esports fans.

Chess, originating in ancient India over 1500 years ago, has captivated players for centuries. Its transition to the digital realm, fueled by platforms like Chess.com and the popularity of media like The Queen's Gambit, has significantly expanded its reach. Now, its official recognition as an esport promises to further accelerate its growth and attract a new wave of players and enthusiasts.