Aurora Gaming, a Serbian esports organization, has made a significant move by signing Ian Nepomniachtchi, the reigning Blitz Chess World Champion. This marks the first time Aurora Gaming has ventured into the world of chess, with Nepomniachtchi becoming their first chess representative.
The Russian grandmaster’s debut under the Aurora banner will be at the ongoing Champions Chess Tour, where he’s an invited participant. Fans can catch the action live on Chess.com’s Twitch and YouTube channels, with a substantial prize pool of $150,000 up for grabs. Looking ahead, Nepomniachtchi is also set to compete against the globe’s elite at the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, starting June 28th.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ian Nepomniachtchi, a renowned grandmaster, World Champion, and celebrated Dota streamer, to the Aurora family,” announced Aurora Gaming on X (formerly Twitter). “He will proudly represent our colors at both the CCT and EWC. Welcome home, Nepo!”
Currently Russia’s top-ranked chess player and holding the ninth spot globally, Nepomniachtchi’s achievements include the rare feat of winning two consecutive Candidates Tournaments.
With chess now featured in the EWC program, it has the potential to truly establish itself as a prominent esports title. I’m hopeful that this new, dynamic format will resonate with a wider audience. I’ve been a longtime enthusiast of video games and an active follower of esports, so this partnership with Aurora Gaming is a particularly exciting opportunity. They’re a well-known and ambitious organization.
Ian Nepomniachtchi
