CHESS STARS EYE GLORY AT ESPORTS WORLD CUP 2027

With established champions, emerging Grandmasters and international contenders preparing for the Esports World Cup 2027, the chess competition promises another intense battle. Rising star Denis Lazavik, Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov and leading Indian players are expected to attract attention as the global tournament continues to expand its competitive reach.

The chess competition at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2027 is shaping up to be an exciting contest, bringing together established champions, emerging Grandmasters and ambitious challengers from across the world. With the Road to EWC gathering momentum, attention is already turning towards the players capable of making a decisive impact on the international stage.

Among the names attracting considerable interest is Denis Lazavik, whose performances at the previous edition established him as one of the tournament’s most compelling contenders. Having demonstrated his ability to challenge some of the biggest names in professional chess, Lazavik will be looking to build on that achievement and go one step further by claiming the championship title.

His position will be particularly interesting at EWC 2027, as he will compete as a member of AG.AL, the EWC 2026 Club champions. Representing a title-winning organisation adds another dimension to his campaign, placing greater expectations on the young player to deliver another impressive performance.

Another major contender is Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who enters the conversation following his contribution to his country’s victory at the Chess Olympiad 2026. The 22-year-old has already established himself among the leading players in international chess and remains a formidable opponent for anyone aspiring to win the EWC title.

At EWC 2026, Abdusattorov faced Lazavik in the quarter-finals in a closely contested five-game encounter. The match remained undecided through four consecutive draws before the final game produced a winner, with Lazavik advancing to the next round. The result demonstrated the narrow margins separating the world’s best players at this level of competition.

Currently ranked fifth in Chess.com’s live global rankings, Abdusattorov has maintained a strong presence in elite chess for several years. His remarkable achievement of becoming the youngest-ever World Rapid Chess Champion at just 17 underlined his extraordinary potential. At 22, another major international title could further strengthen his growing legacy.

The competition, however, will extend well beyond these two players. Alongside global superstars Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen, several leading Grandmasters are expected to pursue the championship. Vincent Keymer, Wei Yi and India’s Nihal Sarin could emerge as potential dark horses, while established competitors Ian Nepomniachtchi, Fabiano Caruana and Jan-Krzysztof Duda will be eager to make their mark.

India’s growing influence in competitive chess at EWC was particularly evident in 2026. The country doubled its player contingent compared with the previous edition, recording its largest-ever representation in the tournament’s chess competition, with four Grandmasters participating.

Nihal Sarin, Aravindh Chithambaram and Pranesh M represented S8UL Esports, while Arjun Erigaisi competed under the Gen.G Esports banner. Both Nihal and Arjun progressed to the quarter-finals, highlighting India’s increasing competitiveness in the international esports ecosystem.

Indian representation also extended to the club level, with GodLike Esports selected as an EWC Club Partner. The organisation was represented in the chess competition by Hans Moke Niemann. Together with S8UL Esports, its presence demonstrated the expanding involvement of Indian organisations in the global esports landscape.

As preparations for EWC 2027 gather pace, the combination of established champions, rising talents and stronger national representation promises an increasingly competitive tournament. For India, the next edition offers another opportunity to strengthen its position. For the world’s leading Grandmasters, the challenge remains clear: convert individual brilliance into the ultimate prize.