Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram will represent India’s S8UL in chess at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, the franchise announced on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday night.
Chess will make its debut at the Esports World Cup this year, which will take place in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, from July 7 to August 24.
Nihal, currently ranked 8th in India and 40th in the world, will have Aravindh as his teammate, who is currently ranked 4th in India and 11th in the world.
“This moment is special not just for me personally, but for Indian chess as a whole. Being part of S8UL’s lineup for the Esports World Cup reflects how far the game has come and how it continues to evolve. The fact that a mainstream esports organisation is investing in chess players shows the growing recognition of chess as both a competitive and spectator sport in the digital space. It feels great to be part of this new wave, and I hope to make my country proud on the global stage,” stated Aravind.
“Being part of the Esports World Cup is a new and exciting experience for me. Chess has traditionally lived in a very classical space, but the way it is now being embraced as part of the esports world opens up a whole new dimension for players and audiences alike. Representing India and S8UL on this global stage is an honour, and I look forward to this opportunity of taking the game I love to a much broader audience and inspire more young minds to pick it up,” said Nihal.
Arjun Erigaisi, who signed with Gen.G, became the first Indian to be named in an esports team’s roster.
Who are the big names in chess who will feature at the Esports World Cup?
Five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen will play for Team Liquid along with Fabiano Caruana. Team Falcons will have five-time Speed Chess champion Hikaru Nakamura and rising star Alireza Firouzja in its squad. Ian Nepomniachtchi will play for Serbia’s Team Aurora while LGD has former world champion Ding Liren on its roster.
What is the qualification process?
The chess players will have to secure a spot via the 2025 Champions Chess Tour (CCT). In 2025, there will be two online Champions Chess Tour events, in February and May, which will allow players to compete on the world’s biggest esports stage.
The top 12 players from CCT will make the cut and will be joined by four more GMs from a ‘Last Chance Qualifier’ event. 16 chess players will be in action at the finale in Saudi Arabia later this year.
What is the format of chess at Esports World Cup 2025?
At the Esports World Cup, chess will be played in a rapid 10+0 format, with competitors having 10 minutes on the clock and no opportunity for additional time.
The rapid time control offers players enough time to showcase their strategy while maintaining a fast-paced game.
Twelve players will compete at the Esports World Cup, qualifying through the Champions Chess Tour, which will take place over online events in February and May 2025. A final chance qualifier will be held in Riyadh to select the last four competitors.
