Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram to Participate in Esports World Cup
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Synopsis
Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram, two of India's leading grandmasters, will represent S8UL at the Esports World Cup 2025. With a total prize pool of USD 1.5 million, this marks a significant milestone for chess in the esports arena, showcasing the evolving nature of the game.
Key Takeaways
- Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram will compete in EWC 2025.
- Prize pool for the event is USD 1.5 million.
- Chess is making its debut in the esports world.
- Sarin and Chithambaram are top-ranked grandmasters.
- S8UL is expanding its roster to include chess players.
Mumbai, April 14 (NationPress) India’s premier grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram are set to participate in the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025, having been included in S8UL's chess team, according to the franchise’s announcement.
Making its inaugural appearance at this year’s EWC, chess will have a total prize pool of USD 1.5 million (about Rs 12.9 crore), with Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen serving as the Global Ambassador.
The competition will utilize a rapid 10+0 format, where players are allotted 10 minutes per game with no increments. Participants will qualify through the Champions Chess Tour’s events in February and May, while a Last Chance Qualifier in Riyadh will finalize the last four players.
Sarin, a 20-year-old chess sensation from Thrissur, Kerala, is celebrated as one of the most promising young talents in the international chess community. He began his chess journey at the age of six and gained recognition after winning the World Youth Chess Championship in the under-10 category in Durban. Since then, he has delivered impressive international performances, including being the runner-up in the Chess.com Global Championship in 2022.
Recently, he triumphed in the President’s Cup 2024 and maintained an unbeaten streak to claim the title at the Tashkent Open, scoring 8 out of 10. Currently, Nihal is ranked 8th in India and 40th globally, boasting a FIDE rating of 2687.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Sarin remarked, "Participating in the Esports World Cup is an exciting new chapter for me. Chess has traditionally existed in a classical realm, but its integration into esports presents an entirely new perspective for players and fans. I feel honored to represent India and S8UL on this global platform and am eager to share the game I adore with a wider audience, inspiring more young minds to embrace it."
The 25-year-old Chithambaram, hailing from Thirunagar in Madurai, took up chess at the age of seven under his grandfather's mentorship and quickly ascended the ranks, winning the Indian Under-19 Championship at just 12 years old.
In 2013, he gained attention after clinching his first significant title at the Chennai Grandmaster International Open, later achieving his International Master title in 2014 and becoming a Grandmaster in 2015.
Chithambaram has also secured the National Premier Chess Championship twice, in 2018 and 2019, with his 2019 victory being especially notable as he became the first Indian to win the Indian Open across all three formats: classical, rapid, and blitz.
Most recently, he emerged victorious at the 2025 Prague Chess Festival Masters and is currently ranked 4th in India and 11th globally, holding a FIDE rating of 2749.
"This moment is significant not only for me but for Indian chess as a whole. Being part of S8UL’s lineup for the Esports World Cup showcases the evolution of chess. The involvement of a leading esports organization highlights the growing acknowledgment of chess as both a competitive and spectator sport in the digital age. I am thrilled to be part of this transformation and aspire to make my country proud on the world stage," stated Chithambaram.
In addition to chess, S8UL will also compete in Apex Legends, EAFC 25, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Tekken 8 at EWC 2025. The organization recently announced its Apex Legends roster, featuring the skilled trio of Sharky, Jesko, and Legacy, along with coach Rogers. Rosters for the other games will be revealed soon.
As the sole Indian organization selected for the Esports World Cup Foundation’s Club Partner Program and having won the title of ‘Content Group of the Year’ three consecutive times at the Esports Awards, S8UL has redefined its role as a competitive and creative force in the global gaming landscape.
Animesh Agarwal, known as 8Bit Thug, co-founder and CEO of S8UL, commented, "We are extremely proud to be the first Indian team to enter the global esports chess arena. Nihal and Aravindh are not just two of India’s finest, but among the world’s elite. Their inclusion reflects our dedication to representing India in every competitive gaming genre and our belief that esports encompasses both skill and intellect. This marks a historic moment for both S8UL and Indian chess."
