Chess Makes its Esports Debut at the 2025 Esports World Cup!
The 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), the world's premier gaming and esports festival, is making waves by including chess in its tournament lineup. This unprecedented move, a collaboration between Chess.com, Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, and the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), marks a significant milestone for the ancient game.
EWCF CEO Ralf Reichert hailed chess as "the mother of all strategy games," expressing excitement about its inclusion. He emphasized that chess's rich history, global appeal, and competitive scene perfectly align with the EWC's mission to unite popular games and their communities.
World champion and top-ranked player Magnus Carlsen will serve as an ambassador, aiming to introduce chess to a wider audience and inspire future generations. He expressed his enthusiasm for this partnership, viewing it as a fantastic opportunity to expand the game's reach.
The EWC chess competition, boasting a $1.5 million prize pool, will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 31st to August 3rd, 2025. Qualification will be determined through the 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT), held in February and May. The top 12 CCT players, along with four from a "Last Chance Qualifier," will compete for a $300,000 prize pool and a coveted spot in the EWC.
To enhance the appeal to esports fans, the CCT will feature a faster 10-minute time control per game, replacing the traditional 90-minute format. Tiebreakers will utilize a single Armageddon game.
Chess, with origins tracing back 1500 years to ancient India, has evolved into a globally popular pastime. Its digital adaptation, facilitated by platforms like Chess.com, broadened its accessibility, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further boosted by streaming, influencers, and shows like "The Queen's Gambit," chess is now poised for even greater growth as an official esport.
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