Chess.com and Magnus Carlsen Partner with Esports World Cup Foundation for 2025 Event
Chess.com and GM Magnus Carlsen Partner with Esports World Cup Foundation for 2025 Event
Chess enthusiasts and esports fans alike have reason to celebrate as Chess.com and Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen have announced a groundbreaking partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) for the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC). This collaboration marks the first time competitive chess will be featured at the world’s largest gaming and esports festival, set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from July 31 to August 3, 2025.
The partnership will see the world’s top chess players competing for a staggering $1.5 million prize pool, making it a significant milestone for the chess community. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, expressed his excitement about the inclusion of chess in the event, stating that “bringing chess, the mother of all strategy games, to the Esports World Cup is a truly exciting moment.”
Magnus Carlsen, widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time, will serve as an ambassador for the Esports World Cup, helping to bridge the gap between chess and the broader esports community. Carlsen shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the opportunity to introduce chess to new audiences and inspire the next generation of players.
The 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT) will serve as the primary pathway for players to qualify for the EWC Championship, with two online Tour events offering a combined $300,000 prize pool. The top 12 players from the CCT and four additional players from a “Last Chance Qualifier” will compete for the coveted prizes.
In a nod to esports fans, the next season’s CCT will feature a new format with faster time controls and tiebreakers decided by a single Armageddon game. The inclusion of chess in the Esports World Cup reflects the tournament’s mission to unite popular games and promote cross-game competition within the esports ecosystem.
Overall, the partnership between Chess.com, Magnus Carlsen, and the Esports World Cup Foundation represents a significant step forward for the chess community, opening up new opportunities for growth and innovation in the world of competitive chess.