European esports organisation Crew Secret has introduced it has signed chess grandmaster Anish Giri.
Giri will symbolize the organisation in the course of the 2025 version of the Esports World Cup alongside the second leg of the Champions Chess Tour.
The announcement was made by Crew Secret on April ninth, 2025, because the organisation turns into the most recent so as to add a chess participant to its ranks forward of the Esports World Cup the place chess will make its debut.
Giri is considered one of 15 grandmasters that has signed for an organisation within the weeks main as much as the event which encompasses a $1.5m (~£1.1m) prize pool.
“We’ve all the time seemed for expertise that’s not solely world-class but additionally forward-thinking,” stated John Yao, CEO of Crew Secret. “Anish is that and extra. He’s an excellent competitor and likewise a hilarious and successful persona. We’re past excited to have him on board.”
Giri, at the moment ranked 18th on this planet, turned a grandmaster at 14 years previous. Since then, he has turn out to be a four-time Dutch champion and constructed a web-based following of practically a million followers.
Crew Secret is considered one of a number of esports organisations that has expanded into chess in latest weeks. The likes of Crew Liquid, Crew Falcons, Wolves Esports, and extra have additionally signed top-ranked gamers in preparation for the Esports World Cup which is able to function a $70m (~£53.5m) prize pool break up throughout 25 titles and the Membership competitors.
Why Are Esports Organisations Increasing Into Chess?
The inclusion of chess on the Esports World Cup is a contributing issue as to why esports organisations are signing chess gamers.
With a record-breaking quantity of prize cash on supply at 2025’s occasion, fielding one of the best gamers on this planet provides organisations one of the best likelihood to earn factors for the Membership competitors by which the winner takes dwelling $7m (~£5.3m).
2024’s Membership Championship was received by Saudi Arabian esports organisation Crew Falcons after it achieved ten top-three placements and two victories.
