"Esports is a very natural fit for chess" — Vidit Gujrathi

Vidit Gujrathi

Indian GM

“I think chess has this untapped opportunity.

No other sport was booming during the pandemic the way chess was because it could be played online, and esports is a very natural fit for it.

Last year, if I remember the statistics correctly, chess was one of the top-viewed games, at least among the top five or top ten, and that was just in its first year.

Many other sports have been part of the Esports World Cup for years, and for chess to receive such a warm reception in its first year showed that there is good product market fit.

Chess has a global audience, so the viewership is spread throughout the world. I feel we should explore more opportunities for esports and chess working hand in hand.”