Chess has been officially confirmed as a competitive discipline at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2027 in Riyadh, marking the third consecutive year the sport will feature at the tournament. The announcement sets the stage for another high-stakes showdown, with two-time EWC champion Magnus Carlsen gunning for a historic hat-trick of titles.

India's Growing EWC Footprint

India's presence at the Chess event has expanded significantly in recent editions. At Esports World Cup 2026, India recorded its largest-ever contingent in the Chess competition, fielding four Grandmasters — double the number from the previous year. Nihal Sarin, Aravindh Chithambaram, and Pranesh M competed under esports and gaming content organisation S8UL Esports, while Arjun Erigaisi represented Gen.G Esports.

India's involvement also extended beyond its players. Indian esports organisation GodLike Esports was selected as an EWC Club Partner alongside S8UL Esports and was represented in the Chess event by Hans Moke Niemann. The expanding Indian footprint reflects the country's deepening engagement with the esports format of Chess, raising expectations for an even stronger showing at EWC 2027.

Road to EWC 2027: How Players Qualify

The world's largest chess community, Chess.com, is partnering with the Esports Foundation to determine which players will compete at EWC 2027 through a revamped Champions Chess Tour 2026-2027 cycle. The qualification pathway — dubbed the Road to EWC — is already underway, with top players from across the globe vying for a place in Riyadh.

Key Contenders to Watch

Magnus Carlsen, who lifted the EWC trophy in Paris for the second time, is guaranteed to return to the board at the 2027 edition. If he wins again, Carlsen would achieve a feat only previously accomplished by Rocket League player Samy 'dralii' Hajji — a three-peat of EWC championships.

Another player generating considerable buzz is Denis Lazavik, who delivered a stunning performance at EWC 2026. Lazavik will also enter EWC 2027 as a member of EWC 2026 Club Champions AG.AL, adding further weight to his campaign. Meanwhile, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, fresh off helping Uzbekistan claim the Chess Olympiad 2026, is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous dark horses heading into the event. Abdusattorov, ranked fifth in the Chess.com live global rankings, narrowly lost to Lazavik in the EWC 2026 quarterfinals across five games. The 22-year-old — already the youngest-ever World Rapid Chess Champion, having claimed that title at 17 — will be eyeing the EWC crown as his next landmark achievement.

Chess at EWC: A Rising Phenomenon

Since its debut at the Esports World Cup in 2025, Chess has steadily grown into one of the event's signature draws, pulling in audiences from both the traditional chess world and the broader esports ecosystem. The sport's ability to thrive in both online and offline formats has made it a natural fit for the EWC's hybrid entertainment model, and organisers appear committed to expanding its profile further in 2027.