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3h ago

Chess.com Unveils New Esports World Cup 2026 Qualifying Circuit for Chess

A reworked Champions Chess Tour will send 12 players to next year’s event through a staged season running from September to May.

Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen of Team Liquid won the inaugural chess championship at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Aug. 1.
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Overview

  • Chess is confirmed to return to the Esports World Cup in 2026 after its 2025 debut in Riyadh drew top grandmasters and strong viewership.
  • Titled Tuesday becomes a three-split Grand Prix starting September 2, with players earning points from their best eight results toward tour standings.
  • The Speed Chess Championship runs from October 2025 to February 2026, and its top three finishers secure automatic EWC 2026 berths.
  • Chess.com Global Championship qualifiers begin in March 2026 with playoffs concluding in May, and its top three also auto-qualify, with no extra spots for duplicate qualifiers.
  • Remaining places to reach 12 total qualifiers will be filled via the overall CCT leaderboard, as organizers emphasize a fast, broadcast-friendly format that crowned Magnus Carlsen the 2025 champion over Alireza Firouzja.