Chess at Esports World Cup 2025: Who are the players, which teams are competing, what is the prize money and format details
Chess at the Esports World Cup 2025 continues to attract more champions. Last week, Iranian-French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja joined Team Falcons alongside GM Hikaru Nakamura.
Ten esports teams have already entered the chess arena, with Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi signing with esports side Gen G Esports.
Team Liquid, one of the best-known names in the esports circuit, stole the spotlight by bringing in the world’s top two players: Magnus Carlsen, a five-time World Champion, and Fabiano Caruana, a four-time U.S. Champion.
Last month, English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers signed Chinese Grandmaster Yu Yangyi, marking the entry of its Esports side in the chess tournament in Riyadh.
Is chess an esport now?
Yes, chess will make its competitive debut at the Esports World Cup 2025. Online chess is more than just a digital adaptation of the game.
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With instant time control and premoves in play, online chess is fundamentally altered by its digital medium, making it distinct from the traditional over-the-board variant.
Which esports teams are participating in chess at the Esports World Cup?
- Team Liquid
- Team Falcons
- NAVI
- Aurora
- LGD Gaming
- Gen.G
- Team Vitality
- AG Global
- Wolves Esports
Who are the chess players competing at the Esports World Cup 2025?
- Team Liquid – Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana
- Team Falcons – Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja
- NAVI – Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So and Oleksandr Bortnyk
- Aurora – Ian Neopmniachtchi
- LGD Gaming – Ding Liren
- Gen.G – Arjun Erigaisi
- Team Vitality – Maxime ‘MVL’ Vachier-Lagrave
- Weibo – Wei Yi
- AG Global – Volodar Murzin
- Wolves Esports – Yu Yangyi
When and where will the Esports World Cup take place?
The Esports World Cup 2025 is scheduled to take place between July 31 and August 3, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
What is the prize money for chess at Esports World Cup 2025?
Chess at Esports World Cup 2025 will have a prize money of USD 1.5 million, which is approximately Rs 130 crore.
What is the format of chess at Esports World Cup 2025?
At the Esports World Cup, chess will be played in a rapid 10+0 format, with competitors having 10 minutes on the clock and no opportunity for additional time.
The rapid time control offers players enough time to showcase their strategy while maintaining a fast-paced game.
Twelve players will compete at the Esports World Cup, qualifying through the Champions Chess Tour, which will take place over online events in February and May 2025. A final chance qualifier will be held in Riyadh to select the last four competitors..