A seismic shift is underway in the world of competitive chess, as Indian chess sensation R Praggnanandhaa, fresh off his triumph at the 2nd UzChess Cup, has officially joined the ranks of Team Liquid. This monumental move places the 19-year-old prodigy alongside legends like five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen and Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana, signaling a new era for the ancient game as it embraces the electrifying realm of esports.
Praggnanandhaa’s signing marks a pivotal moment, making him the fourth Indian chess player to ink a deal with a major esports franchise. This comes just ahead of chess’s much-anticipated debut at the Esports World Cup, slated to ignite in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 29 to August 1.
A Dream Team Unites: Praggnanandhaa Joins Carlsen and Caruana
The announcement, coming swiftly after Praggnanandhaa’s impressive victory at the 2nd UzChess Cup, sent ripples of excitement across the global chess community. His integration into Team Liquid’s formidable roster instantly elevates the team’s strategic depth and star power. To play alongside iconic figures such as Magnus Carlsen, often regarded as the greatest player of all time, and the highly consistent Fabiano Caruana, is a testament to Praggnanandhaa’s burgeoning talent and meteoric rise. This collaboration hints at a potential powerhouse alliance, ready to conquer the emerging esports chess landscape.
India’s Chess Prodigies Embrace the Esports Revolution
The trend of Indian chess maestros stepping into the esports spotlight is rapidly gaining momentum. Before Praggnanandhaa’s groundbreaking move, his close compatriot and fellow Grandmaster, Arjun Erigaisi, made headlines by signing with Generation Gaming (Gen.G). Adding to India’s growing footprint, Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram have also secured spots on the roster of India-based S8UL, a prominent esports organization. This collective leap by these young, brilliant minds underscores India’s vibrant chess culture and its readiness to embrace innovative competitive formats, showcasing the nation’s immense talent on a global stage.
The Battle for Riyadh: Esports World Cup Qualification
The inaugural chess segment of the Esports World Cup is set to be an intensely competitive affair, featuring a highly exclusive field of just 16 players vying for ultimate glory. While Arjun Erigaisi has already secured his direct qualification, Praggnanandhaa will embark on a challenging journey through the Last Chance Qualifiers. He will face an array of chess titans, including former World Champion Ding Liren (representing LGD), Wesley So (NAVI), Oleksandr Bortnyk (NAVI), Anish Giri (Team Secret), and Daniil Dubov (Team Spirit), all battling for the coveted remaining four spots.
Among the twelve grandmasters who have already cemented their places in Riyadh are luminaries like Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, the highly popular streamer Hikaru Nakamura (Team Falcons), Alireza Firouzja (Team Falcons), Ian Nepomniachtchi (Aurora), Nodirbek Abdusattorov (NAVI), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Team Vitality), Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Twisted Minds), Wei Yi (Weibo), Vladislav Artemiev (Team Spirit), and Vladimir Fedoseev. The stage is set for an epic showdown, blending classical chess prowess with modern esports dynamics.
Team Liquid’s Heartfelt Welcome: “The Future of Chess Starts Here”
Team Liquid wasted no time in expressing their profound excitement over Praggnanandhaa’s arrival. Their official announcement on X (formerly Twitter) was a poignant tribute to chess’s rich heritage and India’s pivotal role in its origins. “Before chess conquered the world, it was born in India. For centuries, India has shaped the game. Now, it shapes the future. Praggnanandhaa R. carries that legacy forward — and today, he joins ours. Welcome to Team Liquid. The future of chess starts here,” the team passionately declared.
Praggnanandhaa himself reciprocated the enthusiasm, posting, “Super excited to be part of Team Liquid! From India to the world, let’s take chess to the next level together!” This exchange highlights not just a contractual agreement, but a shared vision for elevating chess to unprecedented heights in the digital age.
The “Be Like Pragg” Legacy: A Bond Forged in Competition
The mutual admiration between Magnus Carlsen and R Praggnanandhaa is a widely recognized and endearing narrative within the chess community. A memorable moment from the FIDE World Cup in 2023 encapsulates this bond: after Praggnanandhaa, then just 18, famously upset Hikaru Nakamura in a tiebreaker to reach the final, Carlsen, in the midst of his own game, paused to offer the young Indian a congratulatory pat on the back and a few encouraging words.
Carlsen later revealed the inspiration behind this gesture. He recounted how Praggnanandhaa’s coach, RB Ramesh, would use the phrase “Be Like Pragg” at Carlsen’s own club, Offerspill in Norway, to inspire young players with the dedication required for success. Carlsen playfully reminded Praggnanandhaa of this very catchphrase after his impressive victory over Nakamura, cementing a unique mentorship-like connection. Their synergy isn’t new; they also shared the board as teammates during the inaugural season of the Global Chess League, further solidifying their professional and personal rapport.
Beyond the Board: Understanding Team Liquid’s Esports Dominance
Team Liquid isn’t merely a new player in the chess world; it’s a titan in the broader esports arena. Established in 2000 as a StarCraft clan, the organization has meticulously built a reputation as a championship-winning powerhouse across multiple gaming titles. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in their state-of-the-art training facilities strategically located around the globe, including hubs in Los Angeles, São Paulo, and Utrecht in The Netherlands. This extensive infrastructure provides an ideal environment for nurturing top-tier talent, now extended to the intellectual demands of chess.
The Esports World Cup: A New Era for Competitive Chess
The Esports World Cup stands as an unparalleled spectacle, bringing together the planet’s foremost esports clubs to compete across an astonishing 24 of the most popular video game titles. This year, for the very first time, chess makes its historic inclusion, with matches conducted entirely online.
Following its successful inaugural edition in 2024, the Esports World Cup 2025 is poised to be the largest multi-title esports event ever conceived. It’s projected to host over 2,000 players and more than 200 teams, all vying for an astronomical combined prize pool of $70 million (approximately Rs 602 crore). This staggering figure alone underscores the immense scale and financial significance now attached to competitive gaming. Furthermore, chess’s growing integration into the esports ecosystem is evident closer to home, with its inclusion as an esports discipline at the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Patna, indicating a burgeoning national interest in this innovative format.
