Chess set to make its move at Esports World Cup

Amid the buzz of activity that will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from Tuesday, a certain Cristiano Ronaldo will be expected to make an appearance. The star footballer plies his trade in the desert kingdom but this time he will be the brand ambassador of the second Esports World Cup.

- Shahid Judge

The 40-year-old from Portugal, however, will not be the only icon present at the SEF Arena where the best competitors from the realm of esports will gather. Also present will be a certain Magnus Carlsen, Hik-aru Nakamura and Arjun Eri-gaisi, and a host of other chess stars, as the game makes its debut as an event.

“There was a little bit of surprise,” said Mike McCabe, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Esports World Cup Foundation, the event organisers, in an interview with HT. “The overwhelming response has been incredibly positive. And now it's gone from that positive sentiment to a lot of excitement as to seeing something different and being able to engage with it.”

To be played in the rapid format, chess will be contested between 16 teams represented by one player each.