Why Chess is Embracing Esports: A New Era of Partnership

Chess, a game rooted in centuries of tradition, is no longer just about long, drawn-out matches. In fact, it’s undergoing a transformation. Once a slow-paced, endurance-testing battle, it’s now adapting to the fast-paced world of esports, drawing in a new, younger audience.

For years, classical chess has stood as a hallmark of strategy and skill, but now it’s sharing the spotlight with shorter, faster formats of the game. These condensed versions deliver the same strategic depth but in a way that’s more suitable for modern attention spans—bitesized matches that can be completed in minutes. And, as platforms like Chess.com and Twitch thrive, chess is increasingly being played online, with esports organizations now taking notice.

The latest development? Chess will make its first appearance at the Esports World Cup (EWC) later this year. This tournament, which debuted in 2024 and is partially funded by Saudi Arabia, has quickly become a major event for gamers and fans worldwide. The inclusion of chess in the EWC marks a pivotal moment for the game, with a $1.5 million prize pool up for grabs.

The move is an effort to bridge the gap between the classical world of chess and the dynamic universe of esports. To make the game more accessible for esports fans, a new format was introduced—one that keeps the essence of chess while speeding up the pace of play. In this 10+0 format, each player has only 10 minutes to make their moves, with no additional time added. This change increases the risk of mistakes and brings a thrilling edge to the game.

Top esports teams have already begun to invest in chess talent, understanding that the crossover between the gaming and chess communities is more significant than ever. Team Liquid, one of the biggest names in esports, made headlines when it signed world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and world No. 2 Fabiano Caruana.

Team Liquid’s CEO, Steve Arhancet, shared his excitement about the move, explaining that chess and esports share a similar fan base. “There’s considerable overlap in the demographics of gamers and chess players,” Arhancet said. “People are exploring different genres of content on platforms like Twitch, and they’ll bounce from a chess stream to a League of Legends match. That cross-pollination is key to us.”

Chess’ debut in the esports world isn’t just a one-time event. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), sees it as the beginning of something bigger. “Chess is already a thriving ecosystem,” he said. “We believe esports can provide a foothold to help it grow, particularly within the esports club ecosystem.”

Even Magnus Carlsen, widely considered the greatest chess player of all time, has embraced the new format. Although he acknowledges it’s a departure from the traditional game, he’s excited by the challenge it brings. “It’s a bit more gamified, but I think it will attract a new generation of fans,” Carlsen said.

But while the fast-paced nature of the EWC may appeal to a new audience, players like Caruana, who lost the 2018 World Chess Championship to Carlsen, still value the classical format. Caruana believes that despite the rise of shorter games, classical chess remains an important part of the game’s legacy. “We want to preserve our historical traditions,” he said, recognizing the need for balance between innovation and tradition.

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) remains the governing body of classical chess, but its CEO, Emil Sutovsky, is optimistic about the game’s future in esports. “FIDE welcomes any opportunity for chess to reach wider audiences and engage with new commercial entities,” Sutovsky told CNN. He also confirmed that while FIDE will continue to uphold the core values of classical chess, it will not stand in the way of new formats or partnerships.

Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the EWC could mark the beginning of a broader movement, with more major chess events potentially being hosted in the region in the future. Despite embracing these new ventures, Sutovsky emphasized that chess’ rich tradition won’t be forgotten. “Classical chess will not disappear anytime soon,” he assured.

The inclusion of chess in esports is just the start of a promising partnership. Arhancet, from Team Liquid, is already looking ahead, discussing future collaborations with Chess.com to continue expanding the reach of chess. Early signs indicate that this merger could be a win-win for both esports and chess.

“We’re just getting started,” Arhancet said. “The potential is huge, and we’re excited about the decisions we’ve made to get involved with chess.”

In the end, the chess world’s partnership with esports could mark the beginning of a new chapter—one where tradition and innovation meet to bring the game to a whole new generation.