Latest news with #Gen.G
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First Post
22-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Arjun Erigaisi becomes first Indian chess player to qualify for upcoming Esports World Cup
Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, who had joined leading Esports organisation Gen.G in February, secured his qualification for the second edition of the Esports World Cup by qualifying for the playoffs of the Classic, the second event of the Champions Chess Tour. read more Arjun Erigaisi became the first Indian chess player to qualify for the Esports World Cup that will be taking place in Saudi Arabia later this year. The 21-year-old Grandmaster confirmed his participation in the upcoming event by finishing among the top 12 players in the Champions Chess Tour. Arjun confirmed his ticket to the Saudi capital, which will be hosting the second edition of the Esports World Cup from 8 July to 24 August this year, by advancing to the playoffs of the Classic – the second event of the Champions Chess Tour that got underway on Sunday and will conclude on Saturday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD How Arjun secured his qualification for the Esports World Cup Arjun had already collected 40 CCT points with a semi-final finish in the Chessable Masters event that took place in February, where he lost to eventual champion Magnus Carlsen. And by advancing to the playoffs of the Classic, Arjun ensured that he finishes among the top 12 in the CCT leaderboard. A total of 16 players will be participating in chess section of the Esports World Cup ; while 12 players qualify on the basis of their standings, the remaining four will have to confirm their place in the tournament by participating in a 'Last Chance Qualifier'. Polish GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda too confirmed his participation at the EWC along with Arjun by entering the Classic playoffs in addition to collecting 50 points in the first leg of the tour. World No 1 Carlsen as well as Hikaru Nakamura and Ian Nepomniachtchi had already qualified for the World Cup before the second leg of the tour even began. Exclusive | Arjun Erigaisi 'excited' to participate in ESports World Cup: 'It will open many doors' Reigning world champion D Gukesh received a direct invitation into the Classic playoffs, only to lose to Slovenian GM Vladimir Fedoseev, who had won the Swiss round of the tournament with 7.5 points out of 9. He would lose his subsequent match in the loser's bracket against Arjun, who in turn would get vanquished by French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in his subsequent game. Arjun and Gukesh weren't the only Indians competing in the second leg of the Champions Chess Tour though, with R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, Nihal Sarin and M Pranesh having also taken part. Arjun, incidentally, was also among the first chess players to join an Esports organisation, having signed with Gen.G in February. Nihal and Aravindh Chithambaram would join Indian Esports organisation S8UL a couple of months later. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Indian Express
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Why inclusion of chess in Esports World cup will cause friction with FIDE
The upcoming Esports World Cup (EWC) will see some of the world's top competitive gamers and garner interest from gaming enthusiasts from all over the globe. Also at the event will be some of the top names of a 1000-year-old sport that has seen a boost in popularity through digital matchplay and is transitioning into a new avatar. With Indian speed chess star Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram making their way to Team S8UL — the only Indian Esport body competing at the EWC in Saudi Arabia's capital city Riyadh from July 31 to August 4 — the buzz around chess becoming an Esport is only getting bigger. Three Indians, after Aravindh and Nihal, have signed with an Esports organisation for the highly anticipated world cup. The highest-ranked Indian, Arjun Erigaisi, previously signed with Gen.G, making him one of the first players to join an Esports organisation. How did chess become part of EWC? It started with a partnership announcement between the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) and one of the largest online chess platforms, in December 2024. The EWCF also appointed five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen as the Global Ambassador. The Esports World Cup brings together top esports clubs across 24 popular titles, featuring chess as an online event for the first time. On offer will be prize money of $1.5 million (≈₹12.8 cr) with a time control set to be 10 minutes for the entire game with no increment (10+0). How is an Esports chess event different from a regular online chess tournament? While traditional online chess events have players competing remotely from different locations, the EWC adopts a hybrid model. The top 16 players will gather physically in Riyadh but compete on computers in the LAN-style setup rather than over traditional boards. 'This part of playing in the same place but playing on the computer is also rare in chess. It was tried out in the Champions Chess Tour in one of the years, all the players there were at the same place but playing online. At the end of the day, it is still chess. So it won't make a huge difference. But the difference that will be made will be the no increment rule,' explains Arjun. Are top chess players joining the Esports circuit? Which players are involved? The chess world's elite are enthusiastically embracing Esports. Multiple top GMs have already signed with prominent Esports organisations for the EWC. Team Liquid secured the legendary Magnus Carlsen and American star Fabiano Caruana, while Team Falcons boasts speed chess specialist Hikaru Nakamura and French phenom Alireza Firouzja. Other notable signings include Ian Nepomniachtchi with Team Aurora and former World Champion Ding Liren with LGD Gaming. Arjun himself was among the first chess players to join an Esports organisation, partnering with Gen.G. He explains his contract, 'The contract is to play in the two Champions Chess Tour events and then if I don't qualify, will play in the last-minute qualifier. And then to represent the club at the Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia.' What have been the traditional Esports disciplines? And which are the most famous Esports video games? Traditional Esports have historically focused on video game genres like first-person shooters (Counter-Strike, VALORANT), multiplayer online battle arenas (League of Legends, Dota 2), battle royales (PUBG /BGMI, Fortnite), and sports simulations (FIFA, NBA 2K). Wasn't Esports just about multiplayer video games? Originally, yes, but chess naturally became part of Esports too. Since chess works perfectly online and is highly competitive, it fits right in with other Esports. The digital format and exciting matches make it a great addition to competitive gaming. When was chess included in Esports? Chess's Esports journey gained momentum through platforms like and pioneering events such as the 2022 FTX Crypto Cup, which was part of the Champions Chess Tour where players played in a LAN set-up. What is FIDE's position on chess as an Esport? FIDE, chess's international governing body, has maintained an arms-length approach to Esports, neither endorsing nor opposing these developments. This reluctance and cautious distance stems partly from the involvement of private entities like in organising these events, and partly from historical tensions between FIDE and alternative chess circuits. Could there be conflicts between FIDE and Esports organisations over chess? Given FIDE's history of protecting its governance of competitive chess, tensions with Esports organisers could well be on the cards. The precedent set by the Freestyle Chess disputes, where FIDE objected to the unauthorised use of official titles like 'World Champion', suggests the governing body might assert its authority if Esports events grow in prestige and influence. However, the current situation appears to be one of cautious coexistence, with Esports providing an alternative competitive platform that complements rather than directly challenges FIDE's traditional tournament structure.
Syyaha
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Syyaha
Gen.G Global Academy Launches Gen.G Collegiate Cup in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates
Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – April 21, 2025 : Gen.G Global Academy, the education arm of the renowned global esports organization Gen.G, is proud to announce its inaugural collegiate esports tournament in the MENA region. This groundbreaking event will bring together over 15 universities from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, marking the first collegiate esports tournament of its kind in the region. The Gen.G Collegiate Cup is more than just a competition; it is part of a broader initiative titled 'The Road to Gen.G Collegiate Cup' . This comprehensive program provides students with opportunities to deepen their understanding of professional esports and the gaming industry. Participants will engage in training sessions with esports professionals, attend seminars, and participate in conferences focused on key topics in the esports ecosystem. A total of 300 students have signed up to compete across three popular game titles: PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, and Valorant. These players will battle for a total prize pool of USD 11,000, showcasing their skills on both mobile and PC platforms. During the tournament, HONOR will enhance Gen.G Collegiate Cup experience by equipping the teams with the brand's cutting-edge HONOR Magic7 Pro smartphones. This powerful smartphone features top-tier performance, ultra-responsive display, and advanced cooling system, which will ensure players have the best possible competitive experience. Guan Wang, President of Gen.G Global Academy, expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament: 'The overwhelming interest in participating in the Gen.G Collegiate Cup is a demonstration of students' desire and motivation to actively participate in building the esports ecosystem for the region. Together with our partners, we are looking forward to building the collegiate esports ecosystem in the region towards new heights.' Ingmar Wang, CEO of HONOR Middle East & Africa shared similar sentiments: 'At HONOR, we see esports as more than just competition—it's about community, innovation, and inspiring the next generation of talent.' He added 'being part of this exciting tournament allows us to showcase how our technology, especially on HONOR Magic7 Pro, can empower young gamers and elevate their gameplay experience to the next level.' HONOR's participation underscores the brand's dedication to advancing the esports industry, elevating mobile gaming and establishing new standards of innovation. Adding to this, Joe Zoghbi, Publishing Lead, MENA at Tencent Games, commented on the initiative: 'As we continue to nurture the next generation of esports talent in the region, this initiative stands as a powerful platform for discovery and growth. Reaching thousands of students and activating tournaments across 15 universities, we're not only spotlighting emerging talent, but also giving them the tools, coaching, and competitive stages they need to level up. It's inspiring to see how these students are seizing the moment, and we're proud to play a part in shaping their journey'. Gen.G Esports continues its mission to develop talent for the gaming and esports industry globally, aligning with Saudi Arabia's National Gaming and Esports Strategy (NGES). With offices in Seoul, Shanghai, Los Angeles, and now Riyadh, Gen.G is committed to fostering innovation and growth within the esports landscape. For more information about the Gen.G Collegiate Cup or partnership opportunities, please visit Gen.G collegiate cup website:
Mid East Info
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Mid East Info
Gen.G Global Academy Launches Gen.G Collegiate Cup in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates - Middle East Business News and Information
Gen.G Global Academy Launches Gen.G Collegiate Cup in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates Students from leading universities will battle it out using HONOR Magic7 Pro, delivering elite-level mobile performance. Gen.G Global Academy, the education arm of the renowned global esports organization Gen.G, is proud to announce its inaugural collegiate esports tournament in the MENA region. This groundbreaking event will bring together over 15 universities from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, marking the first collegiate esports tournament of its kind in the region. The Gen.G Collegiate Cup is more than just a competition; it is part of a broader initiative titled 'The Road to Gen.G Collegiate Cup'. This comprehensive program provides students with opportunities to deepen their understanding of professional esports and the gaming industry. Participants will engage in training sessions with esports professionals, attend seminars, and participate in conferences focused on key topics in the esports ecosystem. A total of 300 students have signed up to compete across three popular game titles: PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, and Valorant. These players will battle for a total prize pool of USD 11,000, showcasing their skills on both mobile and PC platforms. During the tournament, HONOR will enhance Gen.G Collegiate Cup experience by equipping the teams with the brand's cutting-edge HONOR Magic7 Pro smartphones. This powerful smartphone features top-tier performance, ultra-responsive display, and advanced cooling system, which will ensure players have the best possible competitive experience. Guan Wang, President of Gen.G Global Academy, expressed his enthusiasm for the tournament: 'The overwhelming interest in participating in the Gen.G Collegiate Cup is a demonstration of students' desire and motivation to actively participate in building the esports ecosystem for the region. Together with our partners, we are looking forward to building the collegiate esports ecosystem in the region towards new heights.' Ingmar Wang, CEO of HONOR Middle East & Africa shared similar sentiments: 'At HONOR, we see esports as more than just competition—it's about community, innovation, and inspiring the next generation of talent.' He added 'being part of this exciting tournament allows us to showcase how our technology, especially on HONOR Magic7 Pro, can empower young gamers and elevate their gameplay experience to the next level.' HONOR's participation underscores the brand's dedication to advancing the esports industry, elevating mobile gaming and establishing new standards of innovation. Adding to this, Joe Zoghbi, Publishing Lead, MENA at Tencent Games, commented on the initiative: 'As we continue to nurture the next generation of esports talent in the region, this initiative stands as a powerful platform for discovery and growth. Reaching thousands of students and activating tournaments across 15 universities, we're not only spotlighting emerging talent, but also giving them the tools, coaching, and competitive stages they need to level up. It's inspiring to see how these students are seizing the moment, and we're proud to play a part in shaping their journey'. Gen.G Esports continues its mission to develop talent for the gaming and esports industry globally, aligning with Saudi Arabia's National Gaming and Esports Strategy (NGES). With offices in Seoul, Shanghai, Los Angeles, and now Riyadh, Gen.G is committed to fostering innovation and growth within the esports landscape.
Korea Herald
19-03-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
Valorant Champions Tour to kick off Pacific Stage in Seoul this week
Winners of VCT Pacific Stage 1 to gain spots at Masters Toronto The Valorant Champions Tour, the global esports league for the first-person shooter game Valorant, is set to kick off its Pacific league competition in Seoul this Saturday. VCT Pacific Stage 1 will take place at the S-Plex Center in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, the same venue that hosted the Pacific stage when the VCT international league launched in 2023. Twelve teams will compete in a single round-robin format, divided into two groups: Alpha and Omega. Each team will face every other team in its group once. The top four teams from each group will advance to the playoffs, where the final three teams will earn spots at Masters Toronto, scheduled for June in Canada. The competition will run for some seven weeks, ending May 11. VCT Pacific is one of four international leagues in Riot Games' Valorant esports structure, alongside the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and China leagues. The international leagues serve as key pathways for players to advance to major Valorant tournaments such as Masters and Champions. The Pacific league covers East Asia (excluding China), Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania, with players from these regions considered locally eligible. The winning teams of Pacific Stage 1 traditionally earn spots at Masters, while the Pacific Stage 2 winners secure spots at Champions. Although the detailed schedule is yet to be confirmed, Pacific Stage 2 is expected to be held at the same venue this year, with the 2025 Valorant Champions set for Paris in September. Korea's Valorant powerhouses — DRX, Gen.G, T1 and Nongshim RedForce — will represent the country in this year's Pacific Stage 1. Notably, Korea has secured two consecutive victories at the Masters, with Gen.G rising as the champion of 2024 Masters Shanghai and T1 setting a record by securing its first-ever win at the 2025 Masters Bangkok. Tickets for VCT Pacific Stage 1 are currently on sale via Interpark Ticket. International fans can purchase tickets through Global Interpark, with the page available in English and Japanese.
