Exciting news for chess enthusiasts and esports fans alike! The 2025 Esports World Cup is set to showcase chess, offering a staggering prize pool of $1.5 million. The legendary Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen will take on the role of ambassador, bridging the gap between traditional chess and the modern esports landscape.
The Esports World Cup is diversifying its offerings with the inclusion of chess, one of the oldest and most strategic games known to humanity. This addition signifies a new chapter for both chess and esports, fostering a community that values competition, strategy, and skill.
Commenting on this venture, Magnus Carlsen stated, “This partnership is an incredible opportunity to grow the game, by introducing chess to new audiences and inspiring the next generation of players. Being part of the esports family is an amazing opportunity for chess to broaden its reach to a massive group of esports fans.” Carlsen’s involvement is anticipated to bring heightened attention to chess both online and offline.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, expressed enthusiasm about the integration of chess into the tournament. He remarked, “It’s the perfect example of how games evolve: from boards to screens, the core competition stays the same. Chess’s rich history, global appeal, and thriving competitive scene make it a perfect fit for our mission to unite the world’s most popular games.”
How Will Chess Be Featured at the Esports World Cup?
The tournament will employ a collaboration with the Champions Chess Tour (CCT), which will help in determining qualifiers for the finals set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The matches will follow a rapid format of 10+0, which means each player has ten minutes to complete the game without additional time increments. This format is designed to enhance the excitement and allow for skillful play under time constraints.
Carlsen explained the dynamics of rapid chess, stating, “In faster games, there will be a lot of swings, fast-paced actions.” This approach emphasizes quick decision-making and strategic depth, keeping spectators engaged and players on their toes.
If scores are tied, an Armageddon match will serve as a tiebreaker. The rules of Armageddon stipulate that Black can secure a win by drawing the game, while White is advantaged with more time on the clock.
Two online events will be held in February and May, featuring a combined total of $300,000 in prize funds. The top 12 players from the CCT will earn invitations to the chess tournament at the EWC, while four more spots will be determined through a Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) in Riyadh, open to both amateurs and professionals.
Ultimately, the 16 qualified players will compete for the coveted title and a share of the impressive $1.5 million prize pool from July 31 to August 3, 2025. This event promises to be a historic crossover between traditional gaming and the fast-evolving esports arena.
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