Chess Grandmasters Team Up with Esports Giants

February marked a thrilling period for the esports community, as some of the world's premier chess grandmasters signed with top esports organizations. This strategic move positions Grandmasters Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren to compete alongside professional Dota 2 and CS:GO players at one of the globe's most prestigious tournaments.

Table of Contents

• 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?

The rationale behind esports organizations recruiting chess players is clear: chess is set to debut as an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh in 2025, with a significant $1.5 million prize pool. The EWC, established as the premier global esports championship and annually hosted in Saudi Arabia, initially featured only five disciplines: Dota 2, PUBG, Rocket League, FIFA, and CS:GO. However, it has since expanded to include 25 disciplines, reflecting Saudi Arabia's ambition to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030.

Scheduled from June to August 2025, the EWC will offer a colossal $60 million in prize money. A standout feature of the event is the overall standings system, where clubs earn points for placing within the top eight across all disciplines. Last year, Team Falcons clinched victory among the 16 winning spots. To enhance their competitive edge, it's essential 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 forces with Team Liquid, expressing his excitement to be part of what he considers the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen sees this partnership as an ideal match for his status as one of the most recognized chess players globally. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, hailed Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time" and emphasized the honor of having him on board.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

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Aurora: Ian Nepomniachtchi
FIDE Ranking: 9
Ian Nepomniachtchi, Russia's top chess player, has signed with Aurora Gaming. Renowned for his prowess in rapid chess, including a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi lauded the inclusion of chess in the EWC and is eager to be part of 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 for the Esports World Cup.

Fabiano Caruana

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Team Liquid: Fabiano Caruana
FIDE Ranking: 2
Team Liquid has bolstered its chess strategy by securing the services of 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 star Hikaru Nakamura has joined Team Falcons, enhancing their lineup with his celebrity status.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

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Vitality: Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
FIDE Ranking: 22
French grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave is the newest member of Vitality, a leading French esports organization with a strong presence in CS:GO and Valorant.

Volodar Murzin

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AG Global Esports: Volodar Murzin
FIDE Ranking: 70
At just eighteen years old, Volodar Murzin, fresh from his victory at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, has signed with AG Global Esports, reinforcing their commitment to 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 strengthened its chess division by signing three grandmasters: Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik, for the Esports World Cup.