Chess: Now an Official eSport

The Esports World Cup has made a surprising and exciting addition to its lineup for the 2025 tournament—chess! This thousand-year-old game, often referred to as the Game of Kings, is set to make its debut in the world of esports. Let's delve into why chess has been included and what this means for the sport.

Chess, The Game Of Kings, At EWC 2025

Officially Declared An Esport In The Competition

Chess has now been officially recognized as one of the esports featured at the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), which is the largest gaming and esports festival globally. This groundbreaking move comes from a significant partnership between Chess.com, the world's leading online chess platform, Grandmaster (GM) Magnus Carlsen, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF). This collaboration aims to bring the age-old game of chess to a broader, more public audience.

Ralf Reichert, CEO of EWCF, expressed his excitement about including chess in the tournament, describing it as "the mother of all strategy games." He highlighted the game's rich history, global appeal, and vibrant competitive scene as reasons why chess aligns perfectly with the EWC's mission to unite the world's most popular games and their passionate communities.

Retired world champion and currently the world's top-ranked player, GM Magnus Carlsen, will also be present at the event as an ambassador. He is eager to bridge the gap between chess and the masses, stating, "I'm thrilled to see Chess join some of the biggest games in the world at the Esports World Cup. This partnership is an incredible opportunity to grow the game, by introducing chess to new audiences and inspiring the next generation of players."

To Be Held In Summer of 2025 in Saudi Arabia

The prestigious event is scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 31st to August 3rd, 2025. It will feature the world's top chess players competing for a substantial prize pool of $1.5 million USD. To qualify for the EWC, players must first rank in the online 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT), which will be held in February and May. The top 12 players from this tournament, along with four additional participants from the "Last Chance Qualifier," will compete for a $300,000 USD prize pool and a coveted spot at the EWC, marking chess's historic esports debut.

To attract a wider audience and particularly esports enthusiasts, the 2025 CCT will introduce a new match format. Instead of the traditional 90-minute time control used in world championships, CCT matches will be played with a 10-minute time control for the entire game, without an increment. In the event of a tiebreaker, a single Armageddon game will determine the winner.

Chess, with origins dating back to ancient India 1500 years ago, has evolved through centuries and is celebrated as one of the world's most popular forms of entertainment. The game's transition to the digital realm, facilitated by platforms like Chess.com, has made it more accessible, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were confined to their homes. The surge in popularity has been further propelled by multimedia outlets, including streaming platforms, influencers, and shows like The Queen's Gambit.

With chess now officially recognized as an esport, it is poised to attract even more players and enthusiasts, solidifying its place in the modern gaming landscape.