The wait is finally over, so chess fans, get ready to be surprised. We have the final roster for the Esports Chess World Cup 2025, and the action is about to get intense! For the first time ever, chess is making waves alongside top esports in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a prize pool that will make your jaw drop: a cool $1.5 million for the chess event alone.
Whether you’re here for the drama, the precision, or the mind games, this year’s tournament promises all that and more. So, let’s take a look at who qualified through the Last Chance Qualifier and which 16 legends will battle it out at the Esports Chess World Cup 2025.
The Road To Esports Chess World Cup 2025
This isn’t your regular chess event. The Esports Chess World Cup 2025 pulls in 12 powerhouses via the Champions Chess Tour leaderboard, while the last 4 spots went to warriors who battled it out in the Last Chance Qualifier, the ultimate do-or-die moment for chess players this year.
Last Chance Qualifier: The Final Showdown
Talk about drama! The LCQ (Last Chance Qualifier) was a marathon, four separate Swiss tournaments just to reach the playoffs, then a grueling double-elimination bracket. The pressure? Insane. The prize? A literal ticket to Riyadh. So, what happened? Sweat, tears, and, in the end, four grandmasters rising above the rest:
- Nihal Sarin (India): Dominated decisive matches and remained calm under pressure.
- Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan): Won multiple Armageddon games, showing nerves of steel.
- Anish Giri (Netherlands): Sealed the spot in classic style, and even flagged Hans Niemann at the buzzer.
- Levon Aronian (USA): Fought back from the brink after an early loss, clutching his spot with big wins on the final day.
The Complete List: All 16 Esports Chess World Cup 2025 Players
Here’s the elite line-up for Riyadh’s Esports Chess World Cup 2025, featuring global chess titans and esports club heroes. The players are:
| # | Player (Country) | Team/Esports Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magnus Carlsen (Norway) | Team Liquid |
| 2 | Fabiano Caruana (USA) | Team Liquid |
| 3 | Hikaru Nakamura (USA) | Team Falcons |
| 4 | Alireza Firouzja (France) | Team Falcons |
| 5 | Ian Nepomniachtchi (Russia) | Aurora Gaming |
| 6 | Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan) | Natus Vincere |
| 7 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) | Team Vitality |
| 8 | Vladislav Artemiev (Russia) | Team Spirit |
| 9 | Arjun Erigiasi (India) | Gen G Esports |
| 10 | Jan-Krzysztof Duda | Twisted Minds |
| 11 | Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Team Vitality |
| 12 | Javokhir Sindarov | Team Vitality |
| 13 | Nihal Sarin (India) | S8UL Esports |
| 14 | Wei Yi (China) | Weibo Gaming |
| 15 | Anish Giri (Netherlands) | Team Secret |
| 16 | Levon Aronian (USA) | REJECT |
Get Ready for Checkmate-Level Drama
From established kings like Carlsen and Nakamura to hungry challengers like Nihal Sarin and Sindarov, each match at the Esports Chess World Cup 2025 will be a showdown for the ages. With chess finally joining the big leagues of esports, and a prize pool that rivals any major tournament, expect insane blunders, brilliant tactics, and nerves of absolute steel. Grab your snacks and set your reminders as the Esports Chess World Cup 2025 starts from tomorrow!
Also Read: Chess Esports World Cup 2025: Format, Schedule, And Players
