Esports World Cup Welcomes Chess to 2025 Games Lineup with a $1.5 Million Prize Pool
Chess, one of history’s most enduring and popular games, is making a groundbreaking move into the world of esports. The Esports World Cup Foundation (“EWCF”) and Chess.com have announced a multi-year partnership that will bring competitive online chess to the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
With over 600 million players worldwide, chess is a game with a rich history and global appeal. Chess.com, the leading platform for playing, learning, and enjoying chess, boasts nearly 200 million members. The partnership will also see Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, one of the greatest chess players in history, join as a Global Ambassador for the event.
The Champions Chess Tour (CCT), a fast tournament circuit hosted by Chess.com, will serve as the primary qualification path for the EWC championship event. The top 12 players from the CCT will be invited to the EWC Chess tournament, with four additional spots determined through a Last Chance Qualifier in Riyadh.
The EWC Chess tournament, scheduled for July 31 to August 3, 2025, will feature a $1.5 million prize pool and a unique format designed to engage a new esports audience. Matches will be played in the rapid 10+0 Chess format, showcasing the strategic brilliance of the players. In case of a tie, a single Armageddon game will serve as a tiebreaker.
Magnus Carlsen, as an ambassador for the event, aims to connect chess with the broader esports community and inspire a new generation of players and fans. His involvement highlights the intellectual depth and competitive spirit that chess shares with other top-tier esports titles.
The addition of chess to the 2025 Esports World Cup lineup further solidifies the event as a celebration of gaming as a global sport. With over 20 titles featured in the tournament, the EWC aims to unite top clubs, players, and fans under one banner for the largest gaming festival in the world.
Chess’s transition to online platforms in recent years has seen a surge in popularity, with platforms like Chess.com offering accessible gameplay, lessons, puzzles, and global competitions. The partnership with the EWC marks a significant milestone in the evolution of chess as a modern global online phenomenon.
As the world eagerly awaits the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, the inclusion of chess promises to bring a new level of excitement and competition to the event. With top players vying for a share of the prize pool and valuable Esports World Cup Club Championship points, the stage is set for a thrilling showcase of strategic brilliance and competitive spirit.