Riyadh: The Esports World Cup 2025 marked a historic moment for chess as it made its debut in the global esports arena with a dedicated tournament featuring a staggering $1.5 million prize pool. Hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the event has quickly become one of the most anticipated segments of the championship, drawing top grandmasters and global attention.
Carlsen Leads the Charge as Chess Ambassador
World Champion Magnus Carlsen has been named the official chess ambassador of the Esports World Cup, solidifying Saudi Arabia’s commitment to integrating traditional mind sports into the digital entertainment space. As part of a broader $70 million investment into the month-long esports festival, chess now joins the ranks of leading titles vying for global esports prestige.
Global Stars Battle for $250,000 First Prize
Sixteen of the world’s strongest grandmasters are competing for the first-ever EWC chess crown and a $250,000 top prize. The field includes elite players such as Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, Fabiano Caruana, and Carlsen himself. Players were selected through a mix of direct invitations and intense qualification rounds.
Anish Giri, Levon Aronian, Nihal Sarin, and Javokhir Sindarov secured the final spots during the Last Chance Qualifier, joining the main event after three days of hard-fought knockout games.
Group Stage Format Pushes Excitement
The tournament kicked off with a double-elimination group stage on July 29, featuring four groups of four players. Each match consists of rapid games (10 minutes plus 2-second increments) with Armageddon tiebreakers used to decide drawn matches. The top two players from each group will advance to the playoffs.
Group D drew particular attention, as Carlsen was placed alongside Uzbek prodigy Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Polish GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda, and Anish Giri. The action begins daily at 14:00 CEST (17:30 IST), drawing live audiences both online and on-site.
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Investment in Sports
Chess’s inclusion is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing investment strategy to diversify its entertainment and sports industries. With esports viewed as a key avenue for global influence, the Kingdom is using the EWC platform to attract international talent and promote its image as a rising force in modern competitive culture.
Looking Ahead: High Stakes Playoffs Begin August 1
Following the group stages, the top eight players will face off in single-elimination playoffs, culminating in the finals on August 1. With prestige, national pride, and a major payday on the line, the competition promises fireworks as chess carves out a lasting place in the world of esports.
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