The Esports World Cup (EWC) has introduced a shocking new addition to its lineup of video games for the 2025 occasion: Chess. The sport of kings, the origins of which might be traced again 1,500 years, will now be one of many crown jewels of a glitzy and intensely well-funded match that is meant to point out us all that, these Saudis, they’re alright, yeah? Do not point out the lifeless journalist.
The Esports World Cup Basis (EWCF) and Chess.com have introduced a multi-year partnership to this finish, with the latter being by far the most important on-line chess portal (virtually 200 million members, apparently) and capable of carry issues like retired world champion Magnus Carlsen to the desk. An present and fashionable rapid-fire match construction, the Champions Chess Tour (CCT), will change into the primary path for qualification to the EWC championship occasion, and there might be two occasions, in February and Could 2025, with a mixed $300k prize pool and a spot within the finals at stake.
Matches might be performed within the speedy 10+0 chess format: Gamers have ten minutes to make all strikes, with no time added. Tied matches will go to an Armageddon decider, wherein the white participant has extra time however the black participant wins with a draw.
“Bringing chess, a recreation that has been performed for 1,500 years, to the Esports World Cup is a really thrilling second,” stated Ralf Reichert, CEO of EWCF. “It’s the proper instance of how video games evolve: From boards to screens, the core competitors stays the identical. Chess’s wealthy historical past, international attraction, and thriving aggressive scene make it an ideal match for our mission to unite the world’s hottest video games and their passionate communities below one aggressive umbrella.”
Reichert goes on, calling Carlsen “a real GOAT of the game” earlier than wobbling into LinkedIn territory and “innovation and progress” inside this “vibrant ecosystem.” There is no arguing that having Carlsen because the face of this can be a huge win: Former world champion, Grandmaster, and arguably nonetheless the most effective participant on the earth, his involvement offers this an plain legitimacy.
“I’m thrilled to see chess be a part of a number of the largest video games on the earth on the Esports World Cup,” stated Carlsen. “This partnership is an unbelievable alternative to develop the sport, by introducing chess to new audiences and galvanizing the subsequent era of gamers. Being a part of the esports household is an incredible alternative for chess to broaden its attain to an enormous group of esports followers.”
The highest 12 from the CCT will play on the EWC chess match, which takes place between July 31 and August 3, 2025, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There may also be a Final Likelihood Qualifier occasion open to all, additionally held in Riyadh, figuring out 4 ultimate spots. The prize pool is $1.5 million.
Understanding chess folks as I do, there’ll inevitably be some upturned noses at this announcement. However this was inevitable and, as a chess lover, it has been an excellent thrill seeing how the web has turbo-charged enthusiasm for the sport and popularised so many alternative methods to play. “Chess is an esport now” would possibly sound like a advertising line, but it surely’s additionally undeniably true: I’ve a number of bodily boards, however I play 95% of my chess on-line and picture it is the identical for any fan.
Whether or not chess is or is not an esport, and even an precise sport in any respect, it is now going to be one of many essential occasions at 2025’s Esports World Cup. And I feel chess goes to work big-time. After that preliminary hurdle of studying the strikes, the sport is endlessly deep and engaging, and the rapid-fire format getting used right here brings all of the dramatic swings front-and-centre. Watching two grandmasters go hell-for-leather over a most 20 minutes is an incredible expertise, and fairly totally different from the extra formal championship occasions chess has traditionally been identified for. Say no matter else you’ll in regards to the EWC, however this was an impressed transfer.
