In a groundbreaking development for both the chess and esports communities, chess has officially been included in the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 31 to August 3. With a staggering $1.5 million prize pool and the prestigious Champions Chess Tour serving as the qualification pathway, this move has sparked a wave of excitement—and a flurry of activity—as prominent esports organizations have begun signing some of the world’s top chess grandmasters to their rosters. Below is an overview of the professional chess players who have been picked up by esports teams as of March 13, 2025, and the organizations they now represent.  

The Rise of Chess in Esports

Chess’s inclusion in the EWC, announced in December 2024 in partnership with Chess.com, marks a historic moment for the ancient strategy game. The tournament’s rapid 10+0 format and its integration into a multi-title esports event have prompted organizations traditionally focused on video games to expand into chess, recognizing its growing popularity in the digital competitive space. With Magnus Carlsen, widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players in history, serving as the EWC’s Global Ambassador, the stage is set for chess to reach new audiences and cement its status as an esport. As esports organizations vie for supremacy in the EWC Club Championship—where points are earned across multiple titles—the race to sign top chess talent has intensified. Here’s a look at the grandmasters who have joined the esports world and the teams they’ve aligned with.  

Chess Players Signed by Esports Organizations

1. Magnus Carlsen – Team Liquid Background: The world’s number-one ranked player and a five-time World Chess Champion, Carlsen is the biggest name in chess today. His dominance in both classical and rapid formats makes him a prized asset. Signing Details: In February 2025, Team Liquid, a global esports powerhouse known for its success in games like Dota 2 and League of Legends, announced the signing of Carlsen. The move underscores Liquid’s ambition to dominate the EWC chess event. Carlsen qualified for the EWC by winning the Chessable Masters in February 2025, the first of two online qualifying events in the Champions Chess Tour. Impact: Carlsen’s addition, alongside teammate Fabiano Caruana, positions Team Liquid as a frontrunner in the chess category. 2. Fabiano Caruana – Team Liquid Background: Ranked second in the world, Caruana is a four-time U.S. Champion and was Carlsen’s challenger in the 2018 World Chess Championship. Signing Details: Team Liquid made headlines by signing Caruana shortly before Carlsen, securing two of the top three players globally. Announced on February 13, 2025, this dual signing highlights Liquid’s serious investment in chess. Impact: With Carlsen and Caruana, Team Liquid boasts arguably the strongest chess roster heading into the EWC. 3. Hikaru Nakamura – Team Falcons Background: Currently ranked second on Chess.com’s rapid ratings and a five-time Speed Chess Champion, Nakamura is a blitz and online chess legend. He previously represented TSM as a streamer in 2020. Signing Details: On February 17, 2025, Team Falcons, the 2024 EWC Club Championship winners from Saudi Arabia, unveiled Nakamura as their first chess signing. The organization added Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja to the roster on March 3, 2025, creating a formidable duo. Impact: Nakamura’s qualification for the EWC via a Grand Finals appearance at the Chessable Masters, combined with Firouzja’s elite skills, makes Team Falcons a top contender. 4. Alireza Firouzja – Team Falcons Background: The Iranian-French grandmaster, ranked in the global top ten, is known for his aggressive style and rapid rise in the chess world. Signing Details: Team Falcons bolstered their lineup by signing Firouzja in early March 2025, pairing him with Nakamura to form one of the most dynamic teams in the EWC chess competition. Impact: With two players whose Chess.com ratings have peaked above 3300, Falcons are a force to be reckoned with. 5. Ian Nepomniachtchi – Aurora Gaming Background: The reigning Blitz Chess World Champion and tenth-ranked player globally, Nepomniachtchi is a seasoned competitor with a passion for gaming, including Dota 2. Signing Details: Serbian esports organization Aurora Gaming signed Nepomniachtchi on February 18, 2025. He qualified for the EWC through his performance at the Chessable Masters. Impact: Nepomniachtchi’s experience and versatility add depth to Aurora’s roster as they prepare for the EWC. 6. Arjun Erigaisi – Gen.G Esports Background: One of India’s brightest chess stars, Erigaisi has climbed into the global elite with his strong performances in rapid and classical chess. Signing Details: South Korean organization Gen.G Esports signed Erigaisi on February 6, 2025, marking him as one of the first grandmasters to join an esports team for the EWC. Impact: Erigaisi’s signing reflects Gen.G’s intent to compete at the highest level in this new chess-esports crossover. 7. Ding Liren – LGD Gaming Background: The 17th World Chess Champion, Ding Liren of China, returned from a competitive hiatus in late 2024 and remains a top-tier player. Signing Details: Chinese esports organization LGD Gaming signed Ding on February 14, 2025, adding a former world champion to their roster. Impact: Ding’s experience and prestige elevate LGD’s standing in the chess event. 8. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave – Team Vitality Background: Known as “MVL,” this French grandmaster is a top-20 player globally and excels in rapid and blitz formats. Signing Details: Team Vitality, a French esports organization, signed Vachier-Lagrave in February 2025 to represent them in the EWC and Champions Chess Tour. Impact: MVL’s consistency strengthens Vitality’s bid for EWC success. 9. Volodar Murzin – AGGlobal Esports Background: The young Russian grandmaster won the 2024 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship, establishing himself as a rising star. Signing Details: AGGlobal Esports (All Gamers), a Chinese organization, kicked off the chess-signing trend by recruiting Murzin on February 2, 2025. Impact: Murzin’s rapid prowess makes him a valuable asset for AGGlobal. 10. Nodirbek Abdusattorov – NAVI (Natus Vincere) Background: Ranked sixth globally, this Uzbek grandmaster is a prodigy known for his tactical brilliance. Signing Details: Ukrainian organization NAVI signed Abdusattorov, along with Wesley So and Oleksandr Bortnyk, on February 17, 2025, creating a three-player chess roster. Impact: Abdusattorov’s high ranking bolsters NAVI’s competitive edge. 11. Wesley So – NAVI (Natus Vincere) Background: A top-20 player from the Philippines, So is a former U.S. Champion with a strong record in rapid chess. Signing Details: Signed alongside Abdusattorov and Bortnyk by NAVI in February 2025. Impact: So’s experience adds stability to NAVI’s lineup. 12. Oleksandr Bortnyk – NAVI (Natus Vincere) Background: A Ukrainian grandmaster renowned for his online blitz prowess. Signing Details: Part of NAVI’s triple signing on February 17, 2025. Impact: Bortnyk’s speed complements NAVI’s diverse roster. 13. Anton Korobov – Leo Team Background: A Ukrainian grandmaster and veteran player from the 2003 generation. Signing Details: Leo Team, another Ukrainian esports organization, signed Korobov in February 2025 to pursue EWC qualification. Impact: Korobov’s signing reflects the growing Ukrainian presence in chess esports. 14. Wei Yi – Team Weibo Background: A top-10 Chinese grandmaster who won the 2024 Tata Steel Chess Tournament. Signing Details: Team Weibo signed Wei Yi in February 2025, aligning him with a team from his home country. Impact: Wei’s classical strength could translate well in the rapid EWC format. 15. Yu Yangyi – Wolves Esports Background: Another elite Chinese grandmaster with a peak rating comparable to Wei Yi’s. Signing Details: Wolves Esports, linked to the English Premier League’s Wolverhampton Wanderers, signed Yu in February 2025. Impact: Yu’s signing marks a unique entry for a football-affiliated esports team into chess.

What’s Next for Chess and Esports?

As of now, at least 15 grandmasters have been signed by esports organizations, with NAVI leading the pack by fielding three players. Team Liquid and Team Falcons stand out with their top-tier duos, while others like Gen.G, LGD Gaming, and Team Vitality have secured single high-profile players to represent them. The qualification process for the EWC continues with the second Champions Chess Tour event in May 2025, followed by a Last Chance Qualifier in Riyadh, which will determine the final four of the 16-player field. This fusion of chess and esports is more than a fleeting trend—it’s a strategic move by organizations to capitalize on the EWC’s massive platform and prize pool. With clubs competing not just for individual titles but also for overall championship points, the stakes are higher than ever. As the July showdown approaches, the chess world watches eagerly to see how these grandmasters will perform under their new banners, potentially reshaping the landscape of competitive chess for years to come.