Chess Makes its Esports Debut at the 2025 Esports World Cup!
The ancient game of chess is making headlines as a newly added esport to the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), the world's premier gaming and esports festival. This unprecedented move, a result of a significant partnership between Chess.com, Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), will introduce chess to a vastly expanded audience.
This collaboration marks a pivotal moment, bringing the strategic depth of chess to the forefront of the esports world. Ralf Reichert, CEO of EWCF, aptly described chess as "the mother of all strategy games," highlighting its perfect alignment with the EWC's mission to unite global gaming communities.
World champion and top-ranked player, GM Magnus Carlsen, will serve as an ambassador, aiming to connect chess with a new generation of players. He expressed his excitement about this opportunity to broaden chess's appeal and inspire future players.
The EWC 2025 Chess Tournament:
The EWC chess competition, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (July 31st - August 3rd, 2025), boasts a substantial $1.5 million prize pool. Qualification will be determined through the 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT), featuring online tournaments 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.
To enhance its appeal to esports fans, the CCT will feature a dynamic 10-minute time control format for each game, with no increment. Tiebreakers will be decided through a single Armageddon game.
Chess, originating in ancient India over 1500 years ago, has enjoyed a remarkable evolution. Its transition to the digital realm, facilitated by platforms like Chess.com, and its subsequent embrace by the esports community, has significantly expanded its reach. The impact of streaming services, social media influencers, and popular culture (e.g., "The Queen's Gambit") has also contributed to the game's growing popularity.
With its official recognition as an esport, chess is poised for even greater growth and engagement.
