Chess champion Magnus Carlsen announces that the game is suited for the digital era, as it becomes increasingly intertwined with esports.
The ancient game of chess is currently experiencing a popularity boom, thanks in part to the rise of online formats during the Covid-19 pandemic and the Netflix series "The Queen's Gambit." This week, chess takes a significant leap into the future as it debuts at the Esports World Cup (EWC), marking a milestone in its digital transformation.
The inclusion of chess in the EWC has significantly impacted the game and its players. By elevating chess into a major esports event with substantial prize money, greater global digital engagement, and high-profile endorsement, the game has been legitimised alongside mainstream esports titles. This move broadens its appeal to esports audiences, merging traditional chess with the dynamic world of esports.
One of the key impacts of this transformation is the elevated status and prize pool. Chess became part of a US$70 million+ prize pool esports event in 2025, with total chess-specific prize money reaching $1.5 million. The competition sees the best players in the world battling it out for this impressive prize, a significant increase from what the game was like less than 20 years ago.
The EWC tournament is hosted and part-funded by Saudi Arabia and brings together professional gamers, publishers, and fans from around the world. The event is broadcast live with chess streaming on popular platforms like Chess.com and Twitch, attracting global viewership in new and more dynamic formats, including fast-paced games and live commentary.
Top esports teams, including Team Liquid, have been signing some of the best chess players on the planet in a bid to compete in the EWC. The online world has opened the world of chess to a new audience, making the game more accessible. Information and tools available online make it easier for both kids and adults to improve their chess skills. As a result, kids are becoming grandmasters at earlier ages.
The EWC tournament uses a 10+0 format, where both players have 10 minutes to make their moves without any chance to add additional time, increasing the chances of blunders as players battle against the clock. This modern competitive format pushes chess competitively into esports style gameplay.
Magnus Carlsen, the world No. 1 chess player and an ambassador for the EWC, spoke to CNN Sports ahead of this year's tournament about the benefits of chess in the digital era. He believes that the transition to online platforms is a "massive moment" for chess and feels that hybrid events like the EWC are the next step. Although the change to the 10+0 format is radical compared to what the game was like less than 20 years ago, it feels natural to Carlsen.
However, the event has not been without controversy. The hosting country's political context has raised concerns about sportswashing, complicating the reception of chess's esports integration. Despite this, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) is supportive of the emerging esports partnership. Emil Sutovsky, CEO of FIDE, was involved in early conversations with organisers about the EWC.
The audience for chess is getting younger and more digital. The championship match will take place on Friday between Magnus Carlsen and GM Alirez Firouzja, with the winner taking home $250,000. Carlsen made the final following an incredible semifinal against Hikaru Nakamura, which was settled using the armageddon rule. The chess competition got underway on Tuesday.
In sum, chess's debut at the Esports World Cup has accelerated its evolution into a contemporary competitive esport, benefitting players through increased exposure, financial rewards, and participation in a high-profile global arena while also inviting scrutiny about the geopolitical context of its platform.
- The esports integration of chess has opened the game to a new audience, with top esports teams like Team Liquid signing some of the best chess players in the world.
- As a result of its debut at the Esports World Cup, chess has embraced technology, moving from traditional formats to competitive esports-style gameplay, such as the 10+0 format.
