February marked an exciting development in the esports world as top-tier chess players joined major esports organizations, gearing up to compete in the prestigious Esports World Cup (EWC). Grandmasters like Magnus Carlsen, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Ding Liren are set to showcase their skills alongside Dota 2 and CS:GO professionals at this global tournament.

Table of Contents

• Why Are Esports Organizations Recruiting Chess Players?
• Who Signed With Whom?
• Magnus Carlsen
• Ian Nepomniachtchi
• Ding Liren
• Fabiano Caruana
• Hikaru Nakamura
• Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
• Volodar Murzin
• Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik

Why Are Esports Organizations Recruiting Chess Players?

The inclusion of chess as an official discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) in 2025, set to take place in Riyadh with a prize pool of $1.5 million, is the driving force behind this trend. The EWC, a flagship event of the annual Gamers8 festival in Saudi Arabia, has evolved from featuring just five disciplines to now encompassing 25. This expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia's vision to become the "global hub of esports" by 2030.

The EWC, scheduled from June to August 2025, offers a colossal $60 million in total prize money. The event's unique scoring system awards points to clubs finishing in the top eight across all disciplines, making it crucial for teams to have strong representation in every category, including chess. Last year, Team Falcons clinched victory, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament.

Who Signed With Whom?

Magnus Carlsen

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**Team Liquid:** Magnus Carlsen
**FIDE Ranking:** 1
The 16-time World Champion has joined Team Liquid, expressing his excitement about being part of the "biggest and best esports organization in the world." Carlsen believes this collaboration is a perfect match for his global recognition. Steve Arhane, Co-CEO of Liquid, hailed Carlsen as the "greatest chess player of all time," underscoring the honor of his addition to their roster.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

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**Aurora:** Ian Nepomniachtchi
**FIDE Ranking:** 9
Russia's leading chess player has signed with Aurora Gaming. Known for his prowess in rapid chess, including a third-place finish at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, Nepomniachtchi is thrilled about chess's inclusion in the EWC and joining an ambitious esports project.

Ding Liren

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**LGD:** Ding Liren
**FIDE Ranking:** 17
Despite a recent setback in his title match against Gukesh Dommaraju, the legendary Chinese esports club LGD has welcomed Ding Liren to their roster for the Esports World Cup.

Fabiano Caruana

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**Team Liquid:** Fabiano Caruana
**FIDE Ranking:** 2
Team Liquid has doubled down on its chess strategy by signing American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana on a three-year contract.

Hikaru Nakamura

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**Falcons:** Hikaru Nakamura
**FIDE Ranking:** 3
The five-time U.S. Chess Champion and Twitch sensation has joined Team Falcons, adding significant star power to their lineup.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

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**Vitality:** Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
**FIDE Ranking:** 22
The French grandmaster has become the latest addition to Vitality, a prominent French esports organization known for its competitive presence in games like CS:GO and Valorant.

Volodar Murzin

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**AG Global Esports:** Volodar Murzin
**FIDE Ranking:** 70
The 18-year-old, fresh off his victory at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, has signed with AG Global Esports, reinforcing their commitment to excelling in the rapid chess format.

Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik

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**NAVI:** Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Alexander Botnik
**FIDE Rankings:** 11th, 6th, and 166th
NAVI has bolstered its chess division by signing these three grandmasters for the EWC, aiming to strengthen their competitive edge.