Chess at the 2025 Esports World Cup: Tournament Details and Top Contenders

If you're a fan of the greatest board game in history, get ready: the Chess tournament at the 2025 Esports World Cup is about to begin. From July 29 to August 1, the world’s top chess players will go head-to-head in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in matches full of strategy, calculated moves, and thrilling endgames.

Legends like Norway’s Magnus Carlsen and Japan’s Hikaru Nakamura will join rising young talents to compete for a share of the $1.5 million prize pool — and, of course, for Club Championship points for their respective organizations.

And if you're planning to follow Chess at EWC 2025, you're in the right place. We’ve prepared this complete guide explaining the tournament format, where to watch, and — of course — who the favorites are. Keep reading so you don’t get checkmated!

2025 Esports World Cup’s Chess Schedule

The Chess tournament at EWC 2025 kicks off on July 29 and features four intense days of competition. Here’s the full schedule:

• July 29: Group Stage (Upper Bracket)
• July 30: Group Stage (Lower Bracket)
• July 31: Playoffs (Quarterfinals and Semifinals)
• August 1: Playoffs (Third-Place Match and Final)

Keep an eye on the official tournament website for real-time updates, results, and matchups.

2025 Esports World Cup’s Chess Tournament Format

The first-ever Competitive Chess tournament at the Esports World Cup will feature 16 players battling for the title, with each match lasting ten minutes — five minutes per player to make their moves.

Tiebreakers will be decided using the Armageddon system, which launches a new match with a slightly different setup. Although the total time remains ten minutes, the player using the white pieces will have six minutes to play, while the one with black pieces wins in the event of a draw.

The structure varies between the two main stages. In the Group Stage, players are split into four groups and face off in a Double Elimination format — with Upper and Lower Brackets determining two qualifiers per group. Each matchup consists of two games, and players have two chances to advance.

The top two from each group move on to the Playoffs, now played in Single Elimination format, meaning one loss sends the player home. In the Playoffs, the Quarterfinals feature four games per matchup and the Semifinals increase that number to six games.

The Final and Third-Place Match are played as best-of-three sets, with each set made up of four games. In some cases, the third set may consist of only two games.

2025 Esports World Cup’s Chess Prize Pool

Chess makes its EWC debut with a total prize pool of $1.5 million, which will be distributed among players based on their final standings. Everyone will go home with at least $50,000 — the amount awarded to the bottom four finishers.

Those eliminated in the Lower Bracket of the Group Stage will receive $65,000, while Quarterfinalists will take home $90,000. Both third and fourth place will earn $125,000, with the runner-up also receiving $125,000, and the tournament champion taking the top prize of $250,000.

Chess Club Championship Points at the 2025 Esports World Cup

While all participants will receive a cash prize, only the top eight players will earn points for the 2025 Esports World Cup’s Club Championship. 5th to 8th place finishers will receive 200 points, 4th place earns 300 points and 3rd place grants 500 points. 2nd place awards 750 points and the tournament winner will earn 1,000 points — potentially even more if they belong to a top-performing team.

Which Players Are Competing in Chess at the 2025 Esports World Cup?

Featuring a lineup that brings together legendary grandmasters and rising stars from both classical and online chess, the 2025 EWC Chess tournament promises elite-level battles. Meet the confirmed players:

Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid)

The biggest name in chess today. Former classical world champion, reigning blitz world champion, and the highest-rated player in history. A global star in online chess, Carlsen regularly competes in digital events like the Champions Chess Tour. Now representing Team Liquid, one of the world’s top esports orgs, he’s one of the faces of EWC.

Fabiano Caruana (Team Liquid)

2018 World Championship runner-up and a regular in the FIDE Top 5. Known for his rock-solid play and deep opening prep, Caruana is a force in classical and rapid formats. Teaming up with Carlsen, he helps make Team Liquid a top favorite.

Hikaru Nakamura (Team Falcons)

A phenomenon both on the board and on stream. Five-time U.S. champion, reigning Fischer Random World Champion, blitz and bullet master, and the world’s most popular chess streamer. Representing Saudi-based Team Falcons, Nakamura is a modern icon of the game.

Alireza Firouzja (Team Falcons)

Widely seen as Carlsen’s successor, Firouzja has already reached World No. 2 and became the youngest player to surpass the 2800 rating mark. Known for his bold and creative style, he joins Nakamura to form a fearsome duo for Team Falcons.

Ian Nepomniachtchi (Aurora Gaming)

Two-time World Championship challenger and 2024 blitz world champion. A top Russian grandmaster known for his aggressive, fast-paced style — perfect for rapid formats. Now with Aurora Gaming, an emerging force in global esports.

Arjun Erigaisi (Gen.G Esports)

One of India’s brightest young stars. Already surpassing 2800 and ranked among the world’s top 10. Arjun brings an aggressive approach and strong rapid skills to Gen.G, a Korean organization with global esports reach.

Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Natus Vincere)

Rapid World Champion at age 17 in 2021, Abdusattorov leads the next generation of Uzbek talent. Having surpassed the 2800 mark, he’s known for his bold yet consistent play. At EWC, he represents the legendary Natus Vincere (NAVI).

Vladislav Artemiev (Team Spirit)

A leading name in Russian chess, Artemiev is a European champion and a blitz specialist. He now competes for Team Spirit, a Russian esports powerhouse known for its Dota 2 success and new investments in chess.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Team Vitality)

One of the most experienced players on the elite circuit. 2021 blitz world champion, renowned for his deep theory and strong endgame technique. He plays for Team Vitality, France’s largest esports organization.

Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Twisted Minds)

2018 blitz world champion and standout in fast-paced and hybrid tournaments. Known for creativity and unpredictability — and the man who ended Carlsen’s classical unbeaten streak. Represents Twisted Minds, a rising Saudi team.

Andrey Esipenko (Virtus.pro)

A late addition replacing fellow Russian Vladimir Fedoseev, Esipenko brings solid classical credentials with a FIDE rating of 2679. He’ll represent Virtus.pro, a respected name in Eastern European esports.

Wei Yi (Weibo Gaming)

A Chinese prodigy with a sharp, aggressive style and a major tournament win at Tata Steel 2024. He plays for Weibo Gaming, a prominent Chinese esports organization.

Four more players are yet to be announced, possibly including surprise entries or wildcards that could shake up the standings.

Favorites to Win Chess at the 2025 Esports World Cup

Betting markets are already heating up ahead of the 2025 EWC Chess event. For those looking to back a winner, Blaze has the latest odds on the top teams:

Title Favorites

Team Liquid leads the pack with odds of 1.6, reflecting its dominant roster and consistent recent performances.

Next in line are Team Falcons (5.85) and Aurora Gaming (7.0), strong contenders following impressive showings in international events.

Other major players include Gen.G Esports (10.0) and Eastern European giants Natus Vincere and Team Spirit (both at 17.0).

Team Vitality (23.0), Weibo Gaming (35.0), and Twisted Minds (35.0) are considered underdogs — but could surprise if they hit a winning streak at the right moment.

Betting and Expectations

With stacked rosters and high-level matches, the tournament promises intense action. The odds highlight the frontrunners, but also offer exciting chances for bold bets with high potential returns.

As the final phase of the 2025 EWC unfolds, every match could shift the odds dramatically!

To dive deeper into the betting world and competitive scene, check out our eSports glossary and full content on the eSports universe at Blaze.

Where to Watch Chess at the 2025 Esports World Cup

All chess matches will be streamed live and free on the official Esports World Cup channels: YouTube, Twitch, and the event’s website. No matter where you are, you’ll be able to catch every move and celebrate the most thrilling checkmates of the tournament!

Bet on Chess at Blaze!

Now that you know the players, the format, and the favorites of the Chess tournament at the 2025 Esports World Cup — why not turn your support into real excitement? Check out our complete esports betting guide to make your picks with confidence and responsibility.

Remember: betting is not an investment or source of income. Think like a chess player — always consider the risks and plan your strategy accordingly. Otherwise, you might end up checkmated in your financial and mental health.

Ready to follow a tournament that’s more than just pieces on a board? Bet on Chess at the Esports World Cup at Blaze — and good luck!