Two of India’s top chess Grandmasters, Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram, are set to make history. They’ve joined S8UL, one of India’s biggest esports organisations. The duo will represent the team at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This marks the first time Indian chess players will compete under a professional esports banner in an international tournament.
Chess Enters the Esports Arena
The Esports World Cup is expanding its scope. For the first time, it will include chess alongside games like Dota 2, FIFA, and PUBG. The event is scheduled for July 2025 and will feature elite players from across the globe.
S8UL, co-owned by esports icons Mortal, Thug, and Goldy, has traditionally focused on battle royale and mobile gaming. With this move, it steps into the strategic and intellectual domain of competitive chess.
The partnership with Sarin and Chithambaram signals a turning point for Indian esports. It shows how traditional mind sports are merging with the digital gaming ecosystem.
Who Are the GMs?
Nihal Sarin, 19, is one of India’s most promising chess prodigies. He has represented India in multiple Chess Olympiads and won the World Youth Chess Championship.
Aravindh Chithambaram, a two-time Indian national champion, is known for his deep positional play and resilience under pressure. Both players are ranked among the top in India.
They will now wear the S8UL jersey and stream content, participate in chess-related esports events, and promote the game online.
S8UL’s Strategic Move
S8UL has already won global awards, including the ‘Best Esports Organisation’ title at the Global Esports Awards. The move to include chess aligns with its strategy to diversify content and tap into a new, intellectually driven audience.
The owners shared that this initiative aims to bridge the gap between esports and traditional sports while giving chess a digital platform.
Fans React
The announcement received widespread applause. Fans of both esports and chess celebrated the collaboration. Many see it as a bold step that may inspire more such crossovers in future.
Chess, long viewed as a classical sport, is now set to thrive in digital arenas with live streaming, audience engagement, and competitive gaming rewards.
