The Esports World Cup is rapidly expanding its global footprint, and India’s growing interest is positioning the country as a key player in the journey. With an Indian organisation represented and a sport like chess included in the 2025 event, the potential to engage India’s massive market has never been clearer. When the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) recently unveiled a staggering $75 million prize pool and a lineup of 24 games for 2026, chess was confirmed among the roster of established esports titles. This decision signals that the board game has assured its place in the digital arena, which, for now, seems essential for retaining the marquee names that lend the event its prestige. The inclusion of Chess’s global icon, Magnus Carlsen, was one of the biggest draws for the Esports World Cup in 2025. Now, the EWCF has made it clear that the inclusion of chess is not a one-off experiment. While viewership for the chess tournament at EWC 2025 did not match that of other traditional esports events in Riyadh, organisers view …