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‘Big transition’: Esports World Cup CEO welcomes chess to 2025 lineup in Riyadh

‘Big transition’: Esports World Cup CEO welcomes chess to 2025 lineup in Riyadh
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup. (Supplied)
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Updated 28 February 2025

‘Big transition’: Esports World Cup CEO welcomes chess to 2025 lineup in Riyadh

‘Big transition’: Esports World Cup CEO welcomes chess to 2025 lineup in Riyadh
  • Ralf Reichert spoke to Arab News about how the new addition has been embraced by the chess and gaming communities

RIYADH: In a groundbreaking move in the gaming industry, the 2025 Esports World Cup — taking place in Riyadh — has officially integrated chess into its lineup, marking a significant step in bridging traditional and digital sports.

With chess experiencing a global resurgence in online popularity, the move highlights the growing convergence of strategy, entertainment and competitive gaming.

According to Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup, incorporating chess was a natural evolution in fulfilling EWC’s commitment to showcasing the world’s best video games.

“Esports World companies promise to have the best video games in the world to be part of the Esports World Cup overall. And if you look at chess, the original board game is probably the oldest game that’s still out there and being played at scale,” he told Arab News in an exclusive interview. “It is popular almost everywhere in the world, and it had a big transition and a big growth rate in the last five years on the Internet, in video games.”

With platforms such as Chess.com redefining the sport’s accessibility and chess influencers such as Gotham Chess and Hikaru Nakamura drawing millions of viewers, the crossover between traditional chess and esports has become undeniable.

Beyond its historical significance, chess aligns perfectly with the core elements of esports — competition, strategy and global reach. Reichert highlighted its thriving competitive scene and how its digital adaptation aligns with the Esports World Cup’s club-based format.

“It has a hugely competitive ecosystem across the world, with participants who are stars and celebrities in their own right. It’s been played as a video game, and a lot of the qualifications are online,” he said.

“The biggest teams in the world, like Team Liquid, have signed Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana, (and) Hikaru Nakamura being signed by Falcons — the winner of the Esports World Cup 2024. Seven of the top 10 chess players have been signed to clubs, which shows that there is a big interest on both sides, the player’s side and the club’s side.”

This integration provides an opportunity for chess professionals to compete for life-changing prize money while promoting the sport to a wider audience.

While the move has been met with overwhelming enthusiasm, the full-scale integration of chess into an esports-focused championship remains a work in progress.

“I think I can tell you after the summer,” Reichert said when asked about potential challenges. “We spent a lot of time identifying three things — a. Does it ultimately qualify as esports from a purely technical perspective? b. is the sport ready in terms of scale and openness and necessity to develop it? and c. Who is the right partner to operate this with? Esports World Cup always works with the existing ecosystem and tries to make it bigger.”

The response from both the chess and gaming communities has been overwhelmingly positive. “It almost seems like it was long overdue to merge these two worlds,” he said. There’s been a lot of positive sentiment, fan anticipation all over the Internet, and media interest in how this will unfold.

To ensure that chess aligns with the high-energy nature of esports, EWC has opted for a fast-paced 10/0 format, also known as ultra-blitz.

The goal is to create the most competitive environment possible, where every match is crucial and becomes a “do-or-die scenario for the players,” according to the CEO.

The 10/0 format is the fastest-paced, with players given only 10 minutes to complete the game, with no additional time. This leads to rapid and intense matches, requiring players to carefully manage their time from the start. It offers an exhilarating experience for both the players and the audience.

The Esports World Cup is not treating chess as a one-off experiment. The inclusion is part of a broader long-term vision.

“Everything we do in the Esports World Cup is with a long-term horizon. We are trying to establish this as one of the largest sports properties. With chess, we have officially announced a three-year partnership at least,” Reichert said, adding that their expectation and hope is that it becomes a permanent fixture.

Looking ahead, Reichert envisions chess evolving within the EWC as a platform for both elite and emerging players.

The aim is to provide life-changing prize money and expand qualifications to be larger and more inclusive on a global scale. The goal is to give new players the chance to rise and compete on the biggest stage. With chess experiencing a resurgence as an online spectator sport, the hope is to bring that excitement to a live audience at the Esports World Cup.

While chess is a major addition, the 2025 Esports World Cup is set to expand even more elsewhere.

“Last year, we had 22 different disciplines. This year, we will have 25, with some of the biggest games that were missing (such as) Valorant, the largest competitive shooter, Fatal Fury, an up-and-coming fighting game, Crossfire, which is the largest shooter in China,” Reichert said.

“The Esports World Cup promises to have the best games, (including) chess as the most classic tactical game.”

With the Esports World Cup redefining the boundaries between traditional and digital competition, chess’s inclusion marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of both esports and one of the world’s oldest strategy games. As the first tournament unfolds, the chess world — and the wider esports community — will be watching closely.


ֱ in sight of World Cup finals thanks to Al-Shamat strike and Al-Buraikan double

ֱ in sight of World Cup finals thanks to Al-Shamat strike and Al-Buraikan double
Updated 08 October 2025

ֱ in sight of World Cup finals thanks to Al-Shamat strike and Al-Buraikan double

ֱ in sight of World Cup finals thanks to Al-Shamat strike and Al-Buraikan double
  • Opening game of the 4th round of Asian qualifiers begins, and ends, as a tense affair for the Green Falcons as Indonesia take lead in 11th minute
  • Victory over Iraq on Tuesday will ensure Herve Renard’s men make their 7th appearance at the World Cup finals

JEDDAH: ֱ came from behind to defeat Indonesia 3-2 on Wednesday and take a giant step toward the 2026 World Cup finals.
Two goals from Firas Al-Buraikan and a fine strike from his Al-Ahli team-mate, Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, at their home ground in Jeddah means a victory over Iraq on Tuesday will ensure Herve Renard’s men make their seventh appearance at the World Cup finals, and even a point might be enough to book their tickets to North America.


This opening game of the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers began, and would end, as a tense affair. The crowd at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, which is hosting all three Group B games, was silenced, aside from a small pocket of away fans, when Indonesia took the lead in the 11th minute.
After a cross into a crowded area was adjudged to have been handled by Hassan Tambakti, Kevin Diks stepped up to take the spot kick and found the bottom corner of the net despite the best efforts of Nawaf Al-Aqidi.
Given that the Saudis scored only seven goals across all 10 games in the third round of qualifiers, there was plenty of apprehension among the home crowd, but just six minutes later the hosts equalized and did so in style.
Musab Al-Juwayr flicked a pass to Al-Shamat, who turned inside a defender just outside the area and then fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the goal past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Maarten Paes.
Ten minutes before the break, ֱ were in front. A shirt pull in the area resulted in a penalty and Al-Buraikan stepped up to fire his team into the lead, beating Paes who saved a spot kick from Salem Al-Dawsari in the previous round.
The hosts continued to push forward in search of an all-important third goal, given that goal difference could well play a part in the final reckoning of the three-team group. It came just after the hour mark; Al-Juwayr’s shot from outside the area was palmed away by Paes but Al-Buraikan was there to hit home the rebound.
As the clock ticked down there was still time for some late drama in the form of an 89th-minute penalty call that went the way of the visitors, and Diks once again made no mistake from the spot.
Nine minutes of added time made for a tense finale for the Saudis, especially when substitute Mohammed Kanno was sent off for a second yellow, but they managed to hang on.
The Group B action continues on Saturday when Iraq will take on Indonesia, before facing ֱ on Tuesday in the final game of the round.
The group winners qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while the second-place team will face off against the runners-up in Group A over two legs, with the winner advancing to an inter-confederation play-off. Group A features Qatar and Oman, who played out a goalless draw on Wednesday, plus the UAE.


Zidane’s son Luca ‘proud’ to play for Algeria

Zidane’s son Luca ‘proud’ to play for Algeria
Updated 08 October 2025

Zidane’s son Luca ‘proud’ to play for Algeria

Zidane’s son Luca ‘proud’ to play for Algeria
  • “It makes me proud and I will give everything at 100 percent to make the Algerian people proud,” the goalkeeper said
  • He received his first call up for Algeria in a 26-man squad for the next two qualifiers

ORAN, Algeria: French football legend Zinedine Zidane’s son Luca said on Wednesday he is “proud” to represent Algeria ahead of the north African country’s World Cup qualifier against Somalia.
Luca Zidane, 27, turned out for France’s youth team but has chosen to play for Algeria where his grandparents were born.
“I’m very happy to be here. It makes me proud and I will give everything at 100 percent to make the Algerian people proud,” the goalkeeper told a press conference in Oran.
Zidane junior, who plays for Spanish second tier side Granada, changed sporting nationality last month having never represented France at senior level.
He received his first call up for Algeria in a 26-man squad for the next two qualifiers.
“All my family are proud of me and back my choice, my grandfather is happy that I’m in Algeria and that I’ve made this decision,” he added.
His father, who was a World Cup winner for France in 1998, “had his journey, his career. As for me I have my journey, my career,” said Luca.
Algeria can become the fourth African team to qualify for next year’s World Cup if they beat Somalia, with Luca saying: “The first objective, it’s tomorrow, it’s Somalia and to win to qualify for the World Cup.”


Ratcliffe gives Amorim three years to prove himself at Man Utd

Ratcliffe gives Amorim three years to prove himself at Man Utd
Updated 08 October 2025

Ratcliffe gives Amorim three years to prove himself at Man Utd

Ratcliffe gives Amorim three years to prove himself at Man Utd
  • “Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be,” Ratcliffe told The Business podcast
  • “The press, sometimes I don’t understand. They want overnight success. They think it’s a light switch”

LONDON: Ruben Amorim has been given three years to prove himself at Manchester United after co-owner Jim Ratcliffe insisted he will not make a knee-jerk decision about the under-fire manager’s future.
Amorim has endured constant speculation that he faces the sack throughout this season as United lurched from one crisis to another.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss, who was hired by Ratcliffe in November 2024, admitted earlier this term that he had considered quitting during United’s darkest moments.
Amorim’s side finished 15th in the Premier League last season — their lowest final top-flight position since 1973-74 — and squandered a chance to qualify for the Champions League when they lost the Europa League final to fellow strugglers Tottenham.
Tenth-placed United have fared little better this season, losing three of their first seven league games and crashing to a shock League Cup defeat at fourth-tier Grimsby.
Amorim has yet to record successive Premier League wins since replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag, with a trip to champions Liverpool next up for United after the international break.
Despite the talk that Amorim, whose side beat promoted Sunderland in their last game, remains in danger of being axed Ratcliffe said the 40-year-old would be given time to turn things around.
“He has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be,” Ratcliffe told The Business podcast, produced by The Times and The Sunday Times.
“The press, sometimes I don’t understand. They want overnight success. They think it’s a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it’s all going to be roses tomorrow.
“You can’t run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week.”

- ‘No free lunches’ -

Ratcliffe has owned just under 30 percent of United since February 2024, when he took control of football operations at the 20-time English champions.
That left the Glazer family, who have endured numerous fan protests since taking over in 2005, still in overall charge at Old Trafford.
United haven’t won the English title since 2013, while their last European trophy was the 2017 Europa League.
Asked what would happen if the Glazers told him to sack Amorim, Ratcliffe said: “It’s not going to happen.”
The INEOS chief said the Glazers were happy for him to take charge, adding: “That probably sums it up. We’re local and they’re the other side of the pond.
“That’s a long way away to try and manage a football club as big, as complex as Manchester United. We’re here with feet on the ground.
“They get a bad rap but they are really nice people and they are really passionate about the club.”
Ratcliffe has also come in from criticism after controversial cuts designed to drive down costs at United saw around 450 jobs axed and the removal of perks like subsidised staff lunches.
“The costs were just too high. There are some fantastic people at Manchester United, but there was also a level of mediocrity and it had become bloated,” he said.
“I got a lot of flak for the free lunches, but no-one’s ever given me a free lunch.
“The biggest correlation, like it or not, between results and any external factor is profitability. The more cash you have got, the better squad you can build.
“So a lot of what we have done in the first year is spend an awful lot of time putting the club on a sustainable, healthy footing.”


First 2 championship titles of the Saudi eLeague season decided

First 2 championship titles of the Saudi eLeague season decided
Updated 08 October 2025

First 2 championship titles of the Saudi eLeague season decided

First 2 championship titles of the Saudi eLeague season decided
  • Team Bright Future secure first ever championship title in the EA FC25 tournament
  • The Vicious topple Team Falcons in the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 event

RIYADH: The first two championship titles of the Saudi eLeague season have been decided, with team Bright Future lifting their first-ever trophy in the EA FC25 competition, and team The Vicious claiming the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 crown.

EA FC25 Championship: Historic win for Team Bright Future

In a tournament that brought together 16 of the Kingdom’s best clubs to battle it out on the virtual soccer pitch, Team Bright Future emerged with their first-ever championship title after star player Ibra6577 triumphed in a high-scoring showdown with S_7wi of team Twisted Minds, sealing the victory with an 11-6 aggregate score.

In the battle for third place, Al-Dahab Club pushed Twisted Minds to the limit but fell just short in a nail-biting contest that ended in a 9-8 scoreline.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Championship: Team The Vicious rise as new champions

If the story of the EAFC25 event was one of new winners, the Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Championship was the tale of a giant being toppled. In a tournament showdown featuring the top four qualifying teams, The Vicious shocked Team Falcons with a dramatic 4-3 series win.

The victory not only confirmed The Vicious as the new Saudi eLeague kings of Call of Duty, their standout player, d7oomx, was named MVP for a performance that helped propel the team to the title.

The Road Ahead: 11 Championships to go

With the first two championships decided, the Saudi eLeague, described as the Kingdom’s premier esports competition, is into its most competitive phase with 11 tournaments remaining, the results of which will shape the race for the overall title.


Jeddah Season gearing up to host 4th round of F1 Powerboat World Championship

Jeddah Season gearing up to host 4th round of F1 Powerboat World Championship
Updated 08 October 2025

Jeddah Season gearing up to host 4th round of F1 Powerboat World Championship

Jeddah Season gearing up to host 4th round of F1 Powerboat World Championship
  • Jeddah Grand Prix 2025 will take place Nov. 27-29

JEDDAH: The city of Jeddah is gearing up to host the fourth round of the Formula 1 Powerboat World Championship on Nov. 27-29.

The Jeddah Grand Prix will be held as part of Jeddah Season 2025, following the recent handover of the championship’s hosting flag to the Saudi delegation during a special ceremony in Shanghai, China, attended by Nicolo di San Germano, the founder and international organizer of the F1 Powerboat World Championship.