Chess, the ancient game of strategy, is set to make a significant foray into the modern world of competitive gaming. July 2025 will mark a new chapter as chess is included for the first time in the eSports World Cup, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With a substantial $1.5 million prize pool on offer, the event is attracting top talent from across the globe. Unsurprisingly, prominent Indian players are already making their presence felt in this evolving landscape.
Among the notable figures embracing this digital shift is Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, one of the nation`s highest-rated classical players. Erigaisi has been signed by the eSports organization Gen G, joining the ranks of players being recruited by teams vying for one of the 16 coveted spots in the final tournament. Another strong player entering the eSports circuit is the 2024 World Rapid Champion, Volodar Murzin, who has signed with AG Global.
While participation is still solidifying, Erigaisi anticipates the potential involvement of chess titans such as five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen and American star Hikaru Nakamura. Indeed, it was partly through conversations with these leading figures that Erigaisi began to seriously consider the prospect of competing in the eSports World Cup circuit. The primary qualification route for the Riyadh event is the 2025 Champions Chess Tour, which will send 12 players, with a final four spots available through a last-chance qualifier held just before the main tournament scheduled from July 31 to August 3.
Navigating New Time Controls and Digital Skills
Several factors influenced Erigaisi`s decision to pursue this new challenge. The eSports World Cup will feature a unique time control: 10 minutes for the entire game with absolutely no increment added after each move. Traditionally, Erigaisi has expressed reservations about time controls without increments in over-the-board (OTB) chess, as they can often lead to chaotic finishes involving frantic piece movements. However, since the eSports event is played online, mitigating the physical fumbling of pieces, he felt comfortable giving this format a try.
This online environment introduces an intriguing new variable: speed with the mouse. Beyond calculated strategy, a player`s dexterity in executing moves quickly via the digital interface will play a role in determining their success. “I am decent with the mouse,” Erigaisi commented, “but that is one thing I need to train at to become even faster.” While the 10-minute base time resembles rapid chess, Erigaisi prefers to categorize this format as more of a “slow blitz.”
Reflecting on his performance across formats, Erigaisi acknowledged, “It is a fact that I have performed better in classical and blitz compared to rapid, in general.” However, his recent success in the World Rapid Championship provides a confidence boost, making him feel he is improving in quicker time controls. Perhaps, he muses, the digital board and the added element of mouse mechanics provide a slightly different, possibly advantageous, challenge.
Beyond the technical aspects, the opportunity to potentially visit Saudi Arabia was another draw for Erigaisi. Crucially, qualifying for the four-day final tournament poses minimal disruption to his primary goals for the year, concluding more than a month before the FIDE Grand Swiss – a key qualification event for the Candidates tournament – begins.
The Road to the Candidates Remains the Priority
Despite his openness to exploring innovative formats like eSports chess, Arjun Erigaisi`s central focus for 2025 remains squarely on qualifying for the next Candidates tournament. The winner of this prestigious event earns the right to challenge Dommaraju Gukesh for the World Championship crown. Erigaisi came agonizingly close to qualifying via the FIDE Circuit last year, narrowly missing out to Fabiano Caruana. With seven qualification spots still open, primarily through the Grand Swiss and the FIDE World Cup later in the year, the path is clear.
His start to 2025 at the Tata Steel Chess Masters in Wijk Aan Zee was admittedly challenging. Despite finishing with strong wins against Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Gukesh himself, the overall result was below his expectations. “Of course, it`s a very bad start to the year,” he stated candidly, emphasizing its significance as a Candidates qualification year. While his rating took a temporary dip from its peak near 2800, Erigaisi has a proven track record of resilience and the ability to perform against the world`s elite.
“I`m confident of qualifying if I play at my best,” he affirmed. With the Grand Swiss still some time away in September, his immediate focus is on playing well in upcoming tournaments to maintain his form and rating. He understands that even if he misses qualification through tournament victories, a strong rating can serve as a crucial safety net for securing a Candidates spot.
Arjun Erigaisi`s willingness to compete on chess`s newest digital stage at the eSports World Cup is undoubtedly a positive sign for the sport`s aspiration to expand its reach and become a truly global phenomenon. It showcases a adaptability vital for modern athletes. Yet, through the exploration of rapid clicks and digital battlegrounds, Erigaisi`s gaze remains intently fixed on the ultimate objective: the classical World Championship cycle.
