Games

Fabian Scheuermann on Chess joining the Esports World Cup

BBG News

Xpsp speaks to Fabian Scheuermann about Chess joining the Esports World Cup.

This summer, Chess will make its entrance into the Esports World Cup, sharing the spotlight with renowned video games such as Call of Duty, Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT, and others. Initially, it might appear that Chess is an unusual addition to the lineup, given that it’s a centuries-old board game dating back to the 6th century. Compared to its fellow Esports World Cup competitors, Chess is undoubtedly the elder statesman in terms of age.

Speaking with Xpsp, Fabian Scheuermann, the Chief Games Officer of EWC, believes that chess is an ideal fit for the event and elaborates on why this is the opportune moment to incorporate chess into the World Cup.

Chess is “absolutely an Esport”

The age-old game of Chess continues to adapt with modern times, offering online play and producing its own set of superstar players akin to other eSports. Fabian strongly believes that Chess has found its niche within the Esports World Cup.

Chess can be considered a form of esport, evolving from a pastime into a structured competition through the influence of rules and the drive for competition. With roots dating back over 1,500 years, chess has adapted and grown alongside the world, seamlessly incorporating new technologies as they emerge. Including chess in the Esports World Cup is the logical next step in its ongoing evolution.

I’m particularly enthusiastic about how chess, traditionally perceived as a classic game, has seamlessly integrated digital advancements, making it one of the most universally played and accessible games globally. This transformation has led to an increase in younger players and grandmasters. The universal allure of chess has never been greater, which makes it perfect for inclusion in the EWC at this moment.

Evolution of Chess makes it ideal for the Esports World Cup

The traditional nature of Chess, featuring wooden pieces on a board, gives it a unique charm among various gaming options. Yet, Fabian highlights the growing trend of internet-based Chess games. Nowadays, playing Chess is as effortless and popular as engaging in games like Fortnite.

Essentially, it boils down to these key aspects: advancing technology, a fervent and interactive community, and an engaging style. Websites such as Chess.com have revolutionized the game by making it readily available, swift, and comprehensible for all, resulting in countless individuals playing and tuning in daily.

Furthermore, the surge of streaming platforms and content creators has transformed chess from a solitary game into an entertaining spectacle for viewers, rather than just being played. Pioneers such as Magnus Carlsen, influencers, and icons in the field have been instrumental in this shift, narrating the stories, demonstrating the speed, excitement, and streaming-friendly nature of chess. Carlsen’s achievements, enthusiasm, and drive for digital tournaments have significantly expanded the game’s global audience and attracted new viewers. Moreover, cultural phenomena like “The Queen’s Gambit” and other factors have contributed to introducing chess to a younger demographic.

Lastly, let’s discuss the format itself. The Champions Chess Tour (CCT) provides a competitive, action-packed structure that aligns seamlessly with esports, featuring quick games, high stakes, and captivating narratives that are engaging to watch, whether live or online. Essentially, the CCT serves as the main route to qualify for the Esports World Cup.

Offering a thrilling format and featuring renowned chess players, our goal is to create a platform that broadens the arena where chess can thrive and foster a worldwide community.

What does the Esports World Cup bring to Chess?

The Esports World Cup offers a significant platform for Chess, transforming it from a traditional board game into a contemporary, cutting-edge activity that captures attention. This event will not only enhance the prestige associated with being a Chess player but also redefine the financial prospects, making it a more lucrative and esteemed profession.

The Electronic Sports World Cup (EWC) presents a remarkable platform for chess enthusiasts, positioning them at the heart of the global esports community, reaching far beyond the conventional chess spectators. This event offers chess players a unique chance to perform before massive live audiences, gain online visibility to millions, and collaborate with esports legends as they become part of the broader gaming and esports community. Additionally, EWC boasts a prize pool of $1.5 million for chess competitions, enhancing the competition while creating more avenues for growth in chess as an esport.

Although the EWC is still a few months off, the inclusion of Chess has already brought about numerous chances for players and clubs. In fact, nine out of the top ten chess players have agreed to join clubs, while ten top teams have managed to recruit players for the EWC 2025. Remarkably, Team Liquid has even secured the signatures of the world’s No. 1 and No. 2 players – Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana.

Teams such as Liquid, Natus Vincere, Team Falcons, and G2 are not only providing a platform for their signed players but also assisting them in establishing personal identities, expanding their fan bases, and creating engaging content. Simultaneously, these clubs are leveraging the opportunity to diversify their reach and tap into the rapidly expanding international chess community.

The future of chess will be influenced by the Esports World Cup

Introducing the Esports World Cup could significantly reshape the Chess community, making it more akin to traditional esports. Many Chess players are now affiliated with Esports teams, and if the sport flourishes, additional events and competitions may follow suit. Fabian Scheuermann believes that the Esports World Cup will enhance the long-term viability of Chess.

Over the long haul, our goal is to foster sustainability. By integrating chess into the network of multi-titled competitions, overlapping fan bases, and professional systems that have benefited other games, EWC aims to contribute to its growth. In partnership with Chess.com, we’ll work together on tournaments, content creation, and joint promotional campaigns to introduce chess to a wider esports community.

Introducing chess at EWC gives us an opportunity to integrate it into the broader esports community. This means that chess players and clubs could reach out to new spectators who are already passionate about other games. There’s a vast global audience for esports, with many people possibly unfamiliar with chess, and we’re thrilled to offer a platform capable of generating new fans for chess.

There’s a significant opportunity in partnering with businesses specializing in artificial intelligence for chess, analysis tools, and advanced chess boards to elevate both competition and spectator engagement. Similarly, we recognize potential in collaborating with chess education institutions and online learning platforms to create training programs for the future generation of competitive esports chess players. This is all about bridging the gap between chess and younger demographics, untapped markets, and the dynamic culture of global gaming – ultimately aiming to establish chess as a vital component in the growing esports scene.

Is this just a branding move?

Critics might argue that this action is merely a means to boost publicity, making the Esports World Cup appear more mainstream and drawing in media attention. Contrarily, Fabian believes that incorporating Chess serves as an effective method to foster connections and adds genuine value to the competition.

Our main priority is always on the participants and the contest itself. Integrating chess into the EWC isn’t a mere strategy for us; it’s a crucial element in our objective to gather top competitive games and foster unity within the global esports sector. Chess boasts one of the largest gaming communities globally, and its expansion is particularly significant with the surge of streaming platforms, content creators, and dynamic tournament formats such as the Champions Chess Tour, PogChamps, and Titled Tuesdays.

Chess, being one of the oldest and most mentally engaging games globally, serves as an ideal blend of classic strategy and contemporary eSports. While mainstream media focus is indeed beneficial, it’s not our primary aim. Our main objective is to provide substantial platforms for players, clubs, and enthusiasts alike.

Fast paced format helps keep Chess accessible

One potential rephrasing of the given text could be: At the Esports World Cup, the classic game of Chess might seem out of sync due to its traditional, methodical, and thoughtful nature compared to fast-paced, action-packed games such as Call of Duty, Rocket League, and EA SPORTS FC 25. However, a unique format specifically designed for the competition will speed up the gameplay, making it more in line with other esports titles. The aim is that the Club Championship system will draw fans into Chess, giving them someone to support.

Fabian explains more:

The key factor is the innovative format. We’re unveiling a quick-tempo style designed for esports enthusiasts, featuring swift games and nail-biting tiebreakers under Armageddon rules. It’s full of tension, captivating to spectate, and tailored for fans who thrive on big plays and rapid action. Our aim is to exhibit how chess has morphed into a vibrant, worldwide, digital pastime — and introduce its most significant rivalries and narratives to fresh audiences who may not have been previously engaged with the scene.

Chess is set to make its entrance into a stellar collection of globally acclaimed esports games. This move will foster connections between various communities, introducing chess to enthusiasts who appreciate strategy, competition, and compelling narratives. By uniting elite players, leading esports clubs, and an enthusiastic global audience in Riyadh, we’re providing a platform that offers chess the largest esports stage it has ever seen – and paving the way for millions of potential fans to delve into the game.

Esports World Cup will use 10+0 format

For traditional chess enthusiasts, the 10+0 format may provide an entirely new experience. The Esports World Cup intentionally opted for this distinctive approach.

Choosing the fast-paced 10+0 time control format for chess spectating revolutionizes the way people engage with the game as a sport. We opted for this particular setup because it’s swift, intense, and resonates with players from the Champions Chess Tour. This style of play maintains excitement for viewers while enabling participants to perform at their peak.

As a passionate admirer, I can’t help but express my excitement about the 10+0 format we’re adopting. This innovative approach promises to transform chess into an exhilarating, fast-moving, and strategically deep game. In this format, every move counts, as quick thinking, clock management, and anticipation of multiple future moves are vital for success.

This fresh, dynamic setup caters exceptionally well to esports enthusiasts, offering a host of thrilling moments, nail-biting comebacks, and matches that are both engaging and easy to follow. I truly believe this format will elevate the game to new heights, making chess even more captivating than before!

Magnus Carlsen plays a significant role in making these quick game formats more well-known, especially with the Champions Chess Tour, where they often use time controls like 15 minutes + 10 seconds per move and 10 minutes straight. His energetic approach to play flourishes in fast games, turning high-level rapid and blitz chess into an exhilarating spectacle that captivates huge international audiences.

This style ensures sports enthusiasts get their fill of thrilling turnarounds, memorable highlights, and contests simple enough for occasional spectators to grasp, as they tune into the EWC event.

Could we see other “traditional” games at the Esports World Cup?

Could the inclusion of Chess in the 2025 Esports World Cup pave the way for other conventional games in future editions? Games such as Poker are already popular online, and while they’re followed closely, they might not meet the strategic requirements of the EWC. As for more unconventional suggestions like Monopoly, while they could provide entertainment, their strategic depth might be questionable for a competition like the EWC.

Fabian suggested that nothing is off the table if it fits the event.

Each year, we carefully examine and update the games included in the Esports World Cup. We take into account any promising new games that fit well with the tournament. The game’s status as a traditional or novel one isn’t as crucial as having a solid foundation – an engaged community, robust competitive system, and global popularity. Chess demonstrates how an age-old game can flourish in the esports scene. Should other games exhibit similar potential, we will definitely explore them.

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2025-04-28 22:12

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