Chess Officially Recognized as an eSport
The Esports World Cup has made a surprising yet exciting announcement: chess will be part of its 2025 tournament lineup. Let's delve into why this ancient game is making its debut as an esport.
Chess, The Game Of Kings, At EWC 2025
Officially Declared An Esport In The Competition
Chess is set to make its grand entrance at the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), the world's largest gaming and esports festival. This historic inclusion comes through a significant collaboration between Chess.com, the leading online chess platform, Grandmaster (GM) Magnus Carlsen, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF). This partnership aims to bring the age-old game to a broader, more public audience.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of EWCF, expressed his enthusiasm for adding chess to the event, describing it as "the mother of all strategy games." He stated, "With its rich history, global appeal, and thriving competitive scene, chess is a perfect fit for our mission to unite the world's most popular games and their passionate communities."
GM Magnus Carlsen, a retired world champion and currently the world's top-ranked player, will serve as an ambassador for the event. He shared his excitement, saying, "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 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, players must rank in the online 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT), held in February and May. The top 12 players from this tournament, along with four additional players from the "Last Chance Qualifier," will vie for a $300,000 USD prize pool and a chance to compete on the global esports stage.
To attract a broader audience, especially esports fans, the 2025 CCT will introduce a new match format. Instead of the traditional 90-minute time control used in world championships, games will be played with a 10-minute time control with no increment. In the event of a tie, a single Armageddon game will determine the winner.
Chess, originating from ancient India over 1500 years ago, has evolved through the centuries and remains one of the world's most popular forms of entertainment. Its transition to digital platforms like Chess.com has made it more accessible, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when people were confined to their homes. The game's visibility has been further boosted by popular multimedia, 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 to its ranks.
