Nihal Sarin Joins Aravindh Chithambaram as the Second Indian to Qualify for EWC 2026
Nihal Sarin Joins S8UL Teammate Aravindh Chithambaram as Only Indians to Qualify for EWC 2026
New Delhi, India – In a remarkable achievement for Indian esports, Grandmaster Nihal Sarin has officially qualified for the Chess main event at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026. Representing the gaming content powerhouse S8UL Esports, Sarin secured his spot through the Champions Chess Tour (CCT) 2025-2026 Leaderboard, joining teammate Aravindh Chithambaram as the only two Indian players to qualify for this prestigious tournament so far.
A Journey to Remember
Nihal’s path to EWC 2026 was anything but easy. The CCT 2025-2026 season featured two major events: the Speed Chess Championship (SCC) 2025 and the Chess.com Open (CCO) 2026. The top three players from both tournaments earned direct qualification, while others accumulated points toward the CCT Leaderboard based on their performances.
Despite narrowly missing direct qualification by finishing fourth in the CCO, Sarin’s consistent performances across the Titled Tuesday Grand Prix (TTGP) circuit proved crucial. His standout second-place finish in the Spring Split helped him accumulate a total of 139 points, securing his berth at the EWC 2026.
Reflecting on the Achievement
Last year, Sarin was one of only two Indians at the EWC 2025, where he reached the quarterfinals before falling to the eventual champion, Magnus Carlsen. Reflecting on his recent qualification, Sarin expressed his excitement: “Qualifying for the Esports World Cup once again is a very special feeling. This season required consistency across multiple formats and tournaments, and I’m happy that the hard work paid off.”
He added, “Representing India and S8UL on such a global stage is always special, and I’m looking forward to competing against some of the very best players in the world once again.”
The Road Ahead
Fellow S8UL Grandmaster Pranesh M finished just four spots behind the final qualifying position but remains in contention for EWC qualification through the upcoming Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ). The EWC 2026 Chess competition, featuring a prize pool of USD 1.5 million, will take place from August 11 to 15.
The tournament will introduce a new two-phase format, starting with a Play-In stage where eight players will compete in a double-elimination bracket. Sarin has directly qualified for the Group Stage, which will feature 16 players divided into two groups.
Conclusion
With confirmed qualifications across three titles, S8UL continues to make strides in representing India on the global esports stage. As the countdown to EWC 2026 begins, all eyes will be on Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram as they prepare to showcase their skills against the world’s best.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Gaming on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.