Chess betting is set to make waves as the ancient game of kings steps onto one of esports’ biggest stages with the Chess Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
From July 29 to August 1, a field of 16 grandmasters will clash for mental supremacy and a share of a massive $1.5 million prize pool, bringing lightning-fast rapid chess battles to fans around the globe. This ultimate showdown, part of the official 2025 Esports World Cup series, marks the new pinnacle of competitive chess, combining the classic strategy of the 64 squares with the high-stakes drama of modern esports.
Our Chess Esports World Cup betting guide will cover everything you need to know — from how the tournament works, to the players to watch, odds, betting sites, prizemoney breakdowns, and how to watch every move live.
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What is the Chess Esports World Cup?
Chess is one of the world’s oldest games — a battle of minds that’s been played for over a thousand years. From dusty boards in medieval courts to grand halls filled with hushed spectators, chess has always been about strategy, patience, and outthinking your opponent. Over time, it’s become more than just a game; it’s a symbol of intelligence, discipline, and the thrill of competition.
Now, chess is stepping firmly into the future with the Esports World Cup, bringing the timeless game onto one of esports’ biggest stages. Unlike traditional chess tournaments that can last hours, this competition uses a rapid format with just 10 minutes per player and no increment, making every move a test of speed and nerves.
The Chess Esports World Cup replaces what used to be the Tour Finals of the Champions Chess Tour and has quickly become the ultimate goal for professional chess players in the esports era. It’s not just about the money; players are also chasing Club Points that count toward their teams’ overall rankings in the wider Esports World Cup series. For fans and newcomers alike, it’s a chance to see some of the brightest minds in the world pushing their limits on a global stage where tradition meets the fast-paced world of esports.
How to play chess
It seems like every man and his dog knows how to play chess — but just in case your Labrador hasn’t quite mastered the Sicilian Defence, here’s a quick refresher.
Chess is a game of strategy played on an 8×8 board where each player starts with 16 pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns. Every piece moves differently; the rook zooms in straight lines, the bishop glides diagonally, the knight jumps in an L-shape, and the queen does pretty much whatever she wants.
Players take turns moving one piece at a time, aiming to trap their opponent’s king in a position called ‘checkmate’, where escape is impossible. The rules themselves are simple, but the real thrill comes from thinking several moves ahead and outsmarting your opponent.
At the Chess Esports World Cup, games will be played under a 10-minute rapid time control with no increment, making every second count. Matches in the group stage are typically played over two games. In playoff rounds, matches can include more games — for instance, up to six in the semifinals. If a match is tied, an Armageddon game is played where White has five minutes, Black has four minutes, and a draw favours Black, adding extra tension and drama perfect for an esports stage.
Esports World Cup news & tips
Chess Esports World Cup 2025 betting
While chess betting has grown in popularity thanks to streaming platforms and viral chess content, punters should know that betting markets for the 2025 Chess Esports World Cup are likely to be more limited compared to major esports like Dota 2, Counter-Strike 2, or League of Legends.
Some of the leading esports betting sites may offer basic markets such as outright winners, match winner odds, or perhaps total games played in a match, but options like live betting, prop bets, or intricate statistical markets are less common in chess betting than in other esports titles.
If you’re looking for more extensive betting action, you might explore other games in the Esports World Cup 2025, where betting sites typically offer a wider range of markets and betting promotions. Popular alternatives include:
- Dota 2 Esports World Cup
- Counter-Strike 2 Esports World Cup
- League of Legends Esports World Cup
- PUBG Mobile Esports World Cup
- Apex Legends Esports World Cup
- Call of Duty Esports World Cup
That said, the Chess Esports World Cup remains a unique and exciting opportunity for fans who appreciate the mental warfare of the 64 squares.
For those interested in chess betting, platforms like Stake.com, GG.Bet, and Vavada are among the betting sites most likely to list markets for this prestigious event as it approaches.
Chess Esports World Cup 2025 odds
Outright odds for the 2025 Chess Esports World Cup tournament are now live, with markets available for every team playing in the event. While it is unclear exactly what bets will be available, it is likely that esports bookmakers will open up more markets closer to the start of the event.
At the 2025 Chess Esports World Cup, you can expect to see odds for:
- Outright Winner – Betting on which player will win the entire Chess Esports World Cup.
- Match Winner – Betting on the result of individual head-to-head matches between two grandmasters.
- Total Games Played – Wagering on whether a match will go the distance or finish early.
- Set Winner (in finals) – In multi-set finals, betting on who wins a specific set.
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Below you will find the odds for any team “To Win Outright” at the Chess EWC:
- Team Liquid – -172.41
- Team Falcons – +425
- Aurora – +600
- Gen.G – +800
- Natus Vincere – +1300
- Team Spirit – +1300
- Team Vitality – +1600
- Weibo Gaming – +2400
- Twisted Minds – +2400
Chess Esports World Cup 2025 teams
Qualified Participants
Team Liquid
- Fabiano Caruana
- Magnus Carlsen
Team Falcons
- Hikaru Nakamura
- Alireza Firouzja
Aurora Gaming
- Ian Nepomniachtchi
Natus Vincere (NAVI)
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov
Team Spirit
- Vladislav Artemiev
Gen.G Esports
- Arjun Erigaisi
Twisted Time
- Jan-Krzysztof Duda
Weibo Gaming
- Wei Yi
TBC
- Vladimir Fedoseev
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave
- Jan-Krzysztof Duda
Chess Esports World Cup format
The Chess Esports World Cup will bring 16 of the world’s best grandmasters to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, competing across a tightly structured format that tests both skill and nerves under time pressure. Here’s how the tournament will unfold:
Stage 1 — Group Stage (July 29-30)
- The 16 players are divided into four groups of four players each using a GSL-style (double elimination) format.
- Matches in the Group Stage consist of two rapid games per matchup.
- Time control: 10 minutes per player, no increment.
- If a match ends 1-1, an Armageddon game is played to determine the winner:
- White receives five minutes.
- Black receives four minutes but advances in case of a draw.
- The top two players from each group advance to the Playoffs.
Stage 2 — Playoffs (July 31 – August 1)
The Playoffs are a single-elimination bracket with increasing match length as the tournament progresses:
Quarterfinals
- Each match features four rapid games.
- Armageddon game used if tied after four games.
Semifinals
- Matches consist of six rapid games.
- Armageddon game used if tied after six games.
Grand Final
- Best-of-three sets format:
- The first two sets are four games each.
- If tied 1-1 in sets, a deciding third set of two games is played.
- If still tied, an Armageddon game determines the champion.
Chess Esports World Cup prizemoney
The 2025 Chess Esports World Cup boasts a total prize pool of US$1.5 million, making it one of the richest events in competitive chess history. Prize money is distributed among all 16 participating players, rewarding even those who exit in the early rounds.
Here’s how the prize pool breaks down:
| Position | Prizemoney (USD) | Club Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $250,000 | 1,000 |
| 2nd | $180,000 | 750 |
| 3rd | $125,000 | 500 |
| 4th | $125,000 | 300 |
| 5th-8th | $90,000 | 200 |
| 9th-12th | $65,000 | – |
| 13th-16th | $65,000 | – |
In addition to cash prizes, players earn Club Points for their esports organizations, contributing to the overall standings in the broader Esports World Cup. These points are critical, as they can impact team rankings across all esports titles featured in the event, increasing the stakes for both individual players and their teams.
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Previous winners of the Chess Esports World Cup
The Chess Esports World Cup will be the first time this event is held under the official Esports World Cup banner. However, it takes the place of the former Champions Chess Tour (CCT) Finals, which for several years crowned the top rapid chess player in the world and served as the pinnacle of the online chess calendar.
Here’s a look back at the champions from the previous CCT Finals, who now carry their reputations into the Esports World Cup era:
| Year | Event | Winner | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Champions Chess Tour Final | Magnus Carlsen | Wesley So |
| 2022 | Champions Chess Tour Final | Magnus Carlsen | Jan-Krzysztof Duda |
| 2023 | Champions Chess Tour Final | Magnus Carlsen | Hikaru Nakamura |
| 2024 | Champions Chess Tour Final | Hikaru Nakamura | Magnus Carlsen |
These results highlight the intense rivalry at the top level, especially between Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, who remain among the favorites for the Chess Esports World Cup 2025. Fans and bettors alike will be eager to see whether one of these past champions can claim the first title in this new chapter of esports chess.
How to watch the Chess Esports World Cup
The Chess Esports World Cup will be live streamed on the Esports World Cup Twitch.tv channel (https://www.twitch.tv/ewc), with highlights posted to their YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@ewc).
