“Chess is absolutely an esport”: How games qualify for the Esports World Cup

Chess is joining the Esports World Cup this summer, sitting alongside iconic gaming titles like Call of Duty, Counter-Strike 2 and VALORANT. On the face of it, Chess might seem like the black sheep at the title. After all, it is a board game that originated all the way back in the 6th century. That makes it a tad bit older than its fellow Esports World Cup titles.

However, speaking to esports.gg, EWC Chief Games Officer Fabian Scheuermann feels that Chess absolutely fits in at the event and explained why now was the right time to add chess to the World Cup.

While the game of Chess is undoubtedly classic, the game has evolved over recent years to keep up with the time. You can play Chess online, and the game has developed superstars just like other Esports. Fabian feels that Chess fits in perfectly at the Esports World Cup.

"Chess is absolutely an esport. Like all great competitions, chess began as play, gained structure through rules, and was elevated to sport through the spirit of competition. Chess has been played for over 1,500 years, but the game continues to transform and grow naturally as the world changes around it, merging with new technologies with ease. Adding chess to the Esports World Cup is the next step in that evolution.

"What excites me personally is how chess — a game often seen as traditional — has embraced digital transformation to become one of the most accessible and widely played games on the planet, with more younger players and grandmasters now more than ever. The universal appeal of chess has never been higher, so there’s no better time than now to add it to the EWC."

The lack of technology around Chess, with wooden pieces and a board, would also make it stand out amongst the gaming titles. However, Fabian notes the rise of online chess playing. Now, people can play Chess just as easily as Fortnite.

"It really comes down to three things: growing technology, a passionate and connected community, and an exciting format. Platforms like Chess.com have made the game super accessible, fast-paced, and easy to follow, with millions of people playing and watching every day.

"Then there’s the rise of streaming and creators — they’ve turned chess into something people love to watch, not just play. Top players, creators, and icons like Magnus Carlsen have been key to this, bringing the stories to life and showing that chess can be fast, exciting, and made for streaming. Carlsen’s success, energy, and push for digital-first tournaments have helped grow the game’s global fanbase and reach new audiences. All this, plus cultural moments like The Queen’s Gambit, have all helped bring chess to new, younger players.

"And finally, the format itself. The Champions Chess Tour (CCT) has given chess a competitive, high-energy structure that fits perfectly with esports — fast games, big stakes, and clear storylines that are great to watch, both live and online. The CCT is the primary path to qualify for the Esports World Cup.

"By providing a platform for chess to showcase an electrifying format and a star-studded collection of players, we’re expanding the space needed for chess to continue to build and grow a global community."

For the game of Chess, the Esports World Cup is a huge opportunity. This is a chance for the game to be showcased to an entirely new audience, and seen as something modern rather than an ancient board game. It also will elevate and redefine what being a Chess player means, both reputationally and financially.

"EWC is an amazing opportunity for chess players. It puts them right in the middle of the global esports scene — far beyond the traditional chess audience. It’s about giving chess players the chance to play in front of massive live crowds, reach millions online, and share the stage with esports legends as they’re embraced by the wider gaming and esports audience. We’re also offering a $1.5 million prize pool for chess, elevating the stakes while providing additional opportunities for growth for chess as an esport.

"The EWC is still months away, but already the addition of Chess has created several opportunities for players and Clubs. Nine of the top ten chess players have signed with Clubs, and ten top teams have secured players for EWC 2025. Team Liquid even signed both world No. 1 and No. 2 –– Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana.

"Clubs that signed players, like Liquid, Natus Vincere, Team Falcons, and G2, are helping these players build personal brands, reach new audiences, and create fresh content that fans will love. For Clubs, it’s also a way to diversify and tap into chess’s fast-growing global fanbase."

The addition of the Esports World Cup has the potential to transform the Chess ecosystem into something that resembles other esports. Several Chess players are now signed to Esports organisations. If Chess proves successful then other events and tournaments will no doubt appear. Fabian Scheuermann feels that the Esports World Cup will transform the sustainability of Chess.

"Long-term, this is about building sustainability. EWC brings chess into the ecosystem of multi-title competitions, shared fanbases, and professional structures that have helped other games thrive. With our partner, Chess.com, we’ll collaborate on tournaments, content, and joint marketing campaigns to bring chess to a broader esports audience.

"By bringing chess to the EWC, we can adopt it into the wider esports space, allowing its players and Clubs to connect to new fans from other titles. There are millions of esports fans around the world, many of which maybe haven’t watched chess before, and we’re excited to provide a platform that can create brand new fans of chess.

"There’s also huge potential in working with companies developing chess AI, analysis tools, and innovative chess boards to enhance the competitive and viewing experience. And just like grassroots and collegiate esports, we see real opportunity in working with chess academies and learning platforms to develop training programs for the next generation of esports chess players. It’s about connecting chess to younger audiences, new markets, and the energy of global gaming culture — and making it a thriving part of the esports future."

Sceptics would say that this move is just a publicity driver, attempting to make the Esports World Cup seem mainstream and attract media coverage. However, Fabian feels that that Chess is a great way to bridge the gap and is a meaningful addition to the tournament.

"Our focus is always on the players and the competition first. Adding chess to the EWC isn’t a play for us — it’s an important part of our mission to bring together the best competitive games and unite the global esports industry. Chess has one of the biggest gaming communities in the world, and it’s growing fast, especially with the rise of streaming, creators, and fast-paced tournament formats like the Champions Chess Tour, PogChamps, and Titled Tuesdays.

"As one of the world’s oldest and most intellectually stimulating games, chess bridges the gap between traditional strategy and modern esports perfectly. Mainstream media attention is great, of course, but it’s a byproduct, not the goal. The goal is to create meaningful opportunities for players, Clubs, and fans."

Another thing that could make Chess seem out of place at the Esports World Cup is the game itself. Traditionally slow paced, tactical and thoughful Chess is very different from high octane fast paced games like Call of Duty, Rocket League and EA SPORTS FC 25. However, the EWC will use a specially designed format. This brings the game in line with other esports titles and ups the pacing significantly. The hope is that the Club Championship system will also help fans feel engaged in Chess and have someone to root for.

Fabian explains more:

"What helps massively is the format. We’re introducing a fast-paced format built for esports audiences, with rapid matches and thrilling tiebreakers under Armageddon rules. It’s high-stakes, exciting to watch, and perfect for fans who love big moments and quick action. We want to showcase how chess has evolved into a dynamic, global, digital sport — and bring its biggest rivalries and storylines to new audiences who might not have followed the scene before.

"Chess will also join an incredible lineup of the world’s most popular esports titles, creating natural crossovers between communities and putting chess in front of fans who already love strategy, competition, and big stories. By bringing together elite players, top esports Clubs, and an engaged global audience in Riyadh, we’re giving chess the biggest stage it’s ever had in esports — and opening the door for millions of new fans to get into the game."

This 10+0 format will feel very different for fans of traditional Chess. This is a deliberate choice by the Esports World Cup.

"Faster time controls like the 10+0 format are a game-changer for how people experience chess as a spectator sport. We specifically chose 10+0 because it’s rapid, action-packed, and familiar to players from the Champions Chess Tour. It’s a format that keeps games thrilling for viewers, while allowing players to compete at their best.

"We certainly hope that the use of the 10+0 format will allow our audience to see chess as a fast-paced and strategic game where crucial decisions, clock management, and thinking two or three steps ahead is crucial to the success of our competitors. This format is more dynamic and viewer-friendly, making it the perfect choice for esports audiences, allowing for more exciting moments and dramatic comebacks alongside easily digestible matches.

"Magnus Carlsen has been a huge driver in popularising these fast-paced formats — particularly through the Champions Chess Tour, which frequently uses rapid time controls like 15+10 and 10+0. His dynamic style of play, thriving in fast formats, has made high-level rapid and blitz chess incredibly exciting to watch, drawing in massive global audiences.

"This format delivers exactly what esports fans love: dramatic comebacks, big moments, and matches that are easy to follow, even for casual viewers watching EWC."

With Chess joining the 2025 Esports World Cup line-up, could this open the door to other "traditional" games at future iterations of the event? Games like Poker, for example, are already watched and followed online. More left field suggestions, like Monopoly for example, would no doubt be entertaining to watch but might not be strategic enough to make the cut at the EWC.

Fabian suggested that nothing is off the table if it fits the event.

"We review the Esports World Cup lineup every year and always consider new games that make sense for the competition. Whether a game is “traditional” or not matters less than having the right foundations — an active community, strong competitive structure, and global appeal. Chess is a great example of how a classic game can thrive in an esports environment. If other games show similar potential, we’ll absolutely look at them."