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Chess Confirmed as Title at Esports World Cup 2027; Six Grandmasters Represented
Chess Returns to Esports World Cup 2027 in Riyadh
The Esports Foundation has officially confirmed that chess will feature as a title at the Esports World Cup 2027, with the tournament returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The announcement came on Thursday, reaffirming chess’s place alongside established esports titles such as Counter-Strike 2, DOTA 2, and Fatal Fury in the upcoming edition.
The Esports Foundation stated that it will partner with Chess.com to determine the player qualifiers for EWC 2027, operating through the Champions Chess Tour 2026–2027 cycle. Since chess made its debut at the Esports World Cup in 2025, world champion Magnus Carlsen has claimed the title in consecutive appearances, establishing himself as the event’s most successful competitor to date.
Indian Grandmasters Lead Strong Representation
India has significantly increased its footprint at the Esports World Cup, doubling its player contingent compared to the previous edition. Four Indian grandmasters will compete under the banners of professional esports organisations, marking the country’s largest-ever representation in chess at the event.
- Nihal Sarin, Aravindh Chithambaram, and Pranesh M are competing under S8UL Esports.
- Arjun Erigaisi represents Gen.G Esports.
- Hans Moke Niemann competes on behalf of GodLike Esports, which was selected as an EWC Club Partner alongside S8UL Esports.
During the most recent Esports World Cup held in Paris, both Nihal Sarin and Arjun Erigaisi advanced to the quarterfinals, showcasing the depth of Indian talent on the international esports chess stage. Their progression highlighted India’s growing competitiveness beyond traditional classical and rapid formats.
EWC 2027 Set for Saudi Arabia
The Esports World Cup 2026 edition was relocated from Riyadh to Paris due to regional conflicts and took place between July and August. With the next iteration planned for Riyadh, chess players will compete on familiar institutional grounds alongside a slate of other continuing esports titles, providing global exposure and a premier competitive platform.
Source
This report is based on information published by Sportstar (The Hindu) — Chess.
