Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram to Represent India’s S8UL in Chess at Esports World Cup 2025
Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram to Represent India at Esports World Cup 2025
In a groundbreaking announcement, Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram have been selected to represent India’s S8UL in chess at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025. The franchise made the exciting reveal on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday night, marking a significant moment for Indian chess on the global stage.
Chess will be making its debut at the Esports World Cup this year, with the prestigious event set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 7 to August 24. Nihal, currently ranked 8th in India and 40th in the world, will team up with Aravindh, who holds the 4th rank in India and 11th in the world.
Aravindh expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating, “Being part of S8UL’s lineup for the Esports World Cup reflects how far the game has come and how it continues to evolve. It feels great to be part of this new wave, and I hope to make my country proud on the global stage.” Nihal also shared his enthusiasm, saying, “Representing India and S8UL on this global stage is an honor, and I look forward to inspiring more young minds to pick up the game I love.”
The Esports World Cup will feature some of the biggest names in chess, including five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen playing for Team Liquid, Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren among others.
The qualification process for the event will see players securing a spot through the 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT), with top players from online events in February and May earning a chance to compete in Saudi Arabia. The format of chess at the Esports World Cup 2025 will involve a rapid 10+0 format, offering players the opportunity to showcase their strategy in a fast-paced game.
With Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram set to represent India at the Esports World Cup, the country’s presence in the global chess scene is sure to make waves and inspire chess enthusiasts nationwide.