Chess finds its way into the world of competitive Esports.
The Esports World Cup Foundation, or EWCF for short, has just announced that Chess will be taking part in the World Cup of 2025. Many people are astonished, others don't know how to feel about this...
Chess is joining the Esports World Cup 2025
Chess has always been a well-known and popular game, and certainly one of the oldest that is still actively played today. It's definitely no surprise that it's popular even in online spaces.
A prime example of this is the website of Chess.com, the website that is now partnering up with EWCF for the next Esports World Cup.
In the description of the announcement video, EWCF said: "The ultimate game of strategy and intellect joins the lineup!"
Five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlson was featured in the video, promoting the addition of Chess to the Esports World Cup. He replied to the video on Twitter/X, saying that this is a "giant leap for chess."
It's one small click for us players, one giant leap for chess. https://t.co/kzUOHyPSOL
— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) December 17, 2024
In another video from EWCF, Carlson said:
I think chess is perfectly suited for this format. I love having a bit of a hybrid of over the board live events with computers and a live audience.
It is purely a skill based game, where you can test yourself against your opponent. There are no excuses if you win or lose.
There will be a $1.5 million prize pool, definitely one of the largest in the entire history of chess, and it will be integrated as part of the Champions Chess Tour.
A new format will also be added to make quicker matches possible during the World Cup, while keeping all the nuances that make the game as special as it is.
But many people have concerns about this announcement, often arguing that chess cannot be classified as an Esport or expressing disappointment that other games didn't make it into the EWC, but chess did.
While in other cases, people are just making fun of this decision altogether:
I want to laugh at the thought that remote medical surgeries can be used as esports in the future...According to EWC's standards
— (@Sarutobi39) December 18, 2024
Either way, the people at Chess.com seem extremely excited about this turn of events, even commenting under one of the YouTube videos.
The next Esports World Cup will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will be hosted by the Esports World Cup Foundation and the ESL FACEIT Group.
What is your take on the addition of chess into the Esports World Cup? Do you like it or are you disappointed by it? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
