Chess is entering a whole new world the esports world. And at the center of it is Grandmaster Anish Giri, who will now play under the banner of Team Secret at the 2025 Esports World Cup and the Champions Chess Tour leading up to the event.
Giri, currently ranked 18th in the world, has been a chess Grandmaster since a young age and is known for both his brilliant skills and clever personality. This year, with chess being added to the Esports World Cup, several top players like Magnus Carlsen have joined esports teams to compete in this exciting new format. Team Secret is one of the latest big names to jump in.
Big Prizes and Bigger Goals
The 2025 Esports World Cup Chess tournament will have a $1.5 million prize pool, shared between the top players. But that’s not all it also offers Club Championship points, which help teams earn even more bonuses. The best-performing esports organization overall will walk away with a massive $7 million reward.
Team Secret’s Bold New Move
Known for their success in games like Dota 2, VALORANT, League of Legends, Rocket League, Honor of Kings, and Rainbow Six Siege, Team Secret is now expanding into chess and they’re making waves already.
They recently became part of the Esports World Cup Partner Program, a support and funding initiative by the Esports World Cup Foundation. This program is designed to make esports organizations stronger and more sustainable. And 2025’s event is going to be historic, with a record-breaking $70 million prize pool across 25 game titles, the largest ever in esports history.
A Smart and Fun Addition
Team Secret’s CEO, John Yao, shared his thoughts about bringing Anish Giri into the fold:
“We’ve always looked for talent that’s not only world-class but also forward-thinking. Anish is that and more. He’s a brilliant competitor and also a hilarious and winning personality. We’re beyond excited to have him on board.”
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