Traditional Game Enters Digital Arena at Esports World Cup
The centuries-old game of chess is experiencing a dramatic evolution, stepping into the fast-paced world of digital competition through a new partnership with esports. This historic shift will be showcased at the upcoming Esports World Cup (EWC), where chess will make its debut in a newly created rapid format designed for the modern gaming audience.
What was once defined by long hours and silent concentration is now being reimagined as a high-stakes, visually engaging competition. And with major esports organizations like Team Liquid signing top-ranked grandmasters, chess is poised to carve out a permanent presence in this evolving landscape.
Esports World Cup Redefines Chess Competition
The Esports World Cup, hosted and co-funded by Saudi Arabia, debuted in 2024 and quickly became one of the largest global gaming events. Its 2025 edition will feature a $1.5 million prize pool dedicated to chess, positioning the game as a central component of the tournament.
To meet esports standards, the event will use a 10+0 format—each player has ten minutes total with no increment, pushing competitors into fast-paced, error-prone situations. Only 16 players will qualify via the Champions Chess Tour, organized by Chess.com, the online platform that has been instrumental in popularizing digital chess.
Team Liquid, one of the world’s most influential esports teams, recently signed world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and American No. 2 Fabiano Caruana. The organization’s CEO, Steve Arhancet, emphasized the crossover potential: “There’s a considerable amount of overlap in the demographics of gamers and chess players,” he told CNN Sports.
Strategic Investment and Cultural Crossover
The inclusion of chess in the EWC marks a new commercial frontier for esports organizations, many of which had previously supported chess content creators without significant competitive involvement. The three-year partnership between the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) and Chess.com now provides a stable foundation for long-term investment.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the EWCF, noted that chess is “already a thriving ecosystem,” and described the integration into the esports scene as mutually beneficial. He pointed to chess’ rapid growth in recent years as evidence of its readiness to adapt.
The move also has cultural implications. Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit and increased Twitch streaming during the pandemic helped introduce chess to younger audiences, blending tradition with modern entertainment. Players such as Hikaru Nakamura have become crossover stars, equally recognized for both elite play and streaming influence.
Balancing Modern Appeal With Classical Roots
While many welcome the modernization of chess, the transition has prompted debate. Caruana, currently ranked fifth in the world, acknowledged the format may favor different player strengths. “It does make it a bit less like traditional chess, a bit more gamified,” he said, while still affirming the value of preserving chess’ classical identity.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE), which governs classical chess, has taken a balanced stance. CEO Emil Sutovsky confirmed that FIDE was involved in early talks about the partnership and sees the esports expansion as a way to reach wider audiences.
However, Sutovsky emphasized that FIDE remains committed to maintaining the traditions of classical chess. “While trying to be zeitgeisty and popular, we cannot and shall not neglect the unique tradition and what is essence of chess,” he said.
Caruana echoed this sentiment, expressing hope that the community can “keep our historical legacy” while embracing innovation.
Future Potential and Early Momentum
Chess’ addition to the EWC may be just the beginning of a deeper integration with esports. Arhancet of Team Liquid said the early response has been encouraging, particularly from sponsors who view the chess demographic as highly attractive. Talks are already underway between Team Liquid and Chess.com to explore further collaborations.
Although traditionalists remain cautious, the chess-esports partnership is widely viewed as an opportunity to expand reach, diversify revenue, and adapt the game to changing audience preferences. And with global platforms like Twitch and events like the EWC, the chess world is better positioned than ever to capture new fans.
As Arhancet put it, “We’re just getting started.”