The ancient game of chess is undergoing a big evolution, propelled by its recent online boom and a surge in mainstream popularity. Chess makes its debut at the Esports World Cup (EWC), signaling a major leap into the digital competitive arena.
The EWC, which is hosted and partially funded by Saudi Arabia, launched in 2024 as an eight-week global gaming spectacle. Its 2025 edition sees chess officially included, with the world’s top players competing for a substantial $1.5 million prize pool. To adapt to the esports environment, a new format has been introduced that aims for greater accessibility for online audiences.
This shift in the esports category has prompted major esports organisations to sign elite chess talent. Team Liquid, a prominent esports powerhouse, has notably secured Norwegian world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen as their representative in the discipline of chess. Carlsen is widely considered as the greatest chess player of all time.
Chess grandmaster approves of digital chess
“I think this is a massive moment for chess,” Carlsen stated to CNN Sports. He said that the game’s increasing online presence accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic when live tournaments were curtailed. This has now set the stage for such “hybrid events.”
While Carlsen, like many other chess players, values traditional over-the-board chess, he sees the online transition as a natural fit for the game. “The funny thing about chess is that it is a bit of an ancient game and an analog game,” he noted, “But it’s also kind of made for the digital age because it’s so simple to translate.” Carlsen even revealed that he primarily practices on screens, making physical pieces feel “a bit strange” during live tournaments.
The EWC’s chess competition features a fast-paced 10+0 format, giving each player 10 minutes per game without any added time, intensifying the pressure and increasing the potential for rapid tactical blunders. This radical change from traditional chess formats is viewed as “very natural” by Carlsen, aligning with the quicker pace of online games.
Chess now a key esports competition
The International Chess Federation (FIDE), the governing body for classical chess, has expressed support for this esports partnership. FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky confirmed to CNN Sports that the organisation was involved in early discussions, with Chess.com emerging as the key platform partner for the EWC. Chess.com has played a key role in the game’s widespread access globally.
Carlsen believes the digital age has broadened chess’s appeal. “It’s a fantastic thing that we have this new digital age, where information is so easily available,” he said. He highlights how online tools and engines demystify the game, making it “much more accessible to fans” and facilitating quick improvement for players of all ages. This accessibility, he says, contributes to the phenomenon of young prodigies becoming grandmasters at increasingly early ages. Carlsen concludes that with an audience that is “getting younger as well, and more and more digital,” it is “really an exciting time” for chess.
