Chess Joins Esports Nations Cup 2026 Roster: A New Frontier for the Game

• The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) announced Chess as one of 16 titles for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2-29, 2026.
• ENC 2026 will feature 128 players representing their nations, with 64 direct invites based on CCT rankings, 56 from regional qualifiers, and 8 wildcard slots.
• The tournament format includes a 128-player round-robin group stage, followed by a 64-player single-elimination playoff bracket, with matches played in a Rapid 10+0 time control.
• Regional qualifiers, operated by Chess.com, will determine 56 participants across seven regions, allowing nations without direct invites to have two players qualify online.
• Indian chess players and commentators, including Arjun Erigaisi, Sagar Shah, and Tania Sachdev, expressed excitement about chess's inclusion, highlighting the pride and passion of playing for one's nation in esports.