Magnus Carlsen and R. Praggnanandhaa officially joined the Team Liquid chess team ahead of the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh. Carlsen signed earlier this year, and Pragg was welcomed on June 28 with a viral post on X. Carlsen jokingly posted, “Whole lot of letters in Praggnanandhaa, but no I.”
As Firstpost reports, Hikaru Nakamura praised the move, calling Pragg “a rare gem.” With Caruana also on board, the team now holds three of the world’s top-five players, forming a powerhouse in the growing chess-esports crossover
[TRENDING] The Big Chess Crossover No One Saw Coming
In a move that’s turning heads in both the chess and esports worlds, Magnus Carlsen and R. Praggnanandhaa officially joined the Team Liquid chess team, one of the most popular esports organizations globally.
Carlsen, the world’s No. 1 and a five-time world champion, had already signed with Team Liquid earlier this year. But the surprise came recently when Praggnanandhaa, the 19-year-old Indian chess prodigy, was welcomed to the squad.
Their new mission? Competing in the 2025 Esports World Cup, where chess is making its debut as an official title. The tournament kicks off July 29 in Riyadh and features elite names like Fabiano Caruana, Ding Liren, and Wesley So and runs until August 1 with a prize pool of $1.5M.
With Carlsen, Caruana, and Pragg now part of the Team Liquid chess team, the roster looks like a dream lineup for fast-paced, high-stakes chess showdowns.
SUGGESTED READ: Inside the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh
[WHAT’S HAPPENING] X Posts and Fan Buzz Go Wild
The announcement quickly exploded across social media. Carlsen shared the news on X with a clever message:
“Whole lot of letters in Praggnanandhaa, but no I. Welcome to the team.”
That one-liner instantly went viral, with thousands of retweets and memes celebrating the team-up.
One user commented on the post, “Is he kind of trolling pragg?”
Is he kind of trolling pragg?
— SIMRAN♡ (@freakingdreamy) June 29, 2025
Team Liquid page posted, “Before chess conquered the world, it was born in India.
For centuries, India has shaped the game. Now, it shapes the future. Praggnanandhaa R. carries that legacy forward — and today, he joins ours. Welcome to Team Liquid. The future of chess starts here. 💙🇮🇳 Pragg உன்னை வரவேற்கிறோம். @rpraggnachess | #TeamLiquid25”
Before chess conquered the world, it was born in India.
For centuries, India has shaped the game. Now, it shapes the future.
Praggnanandhaa R. carries that legacy forward — and today, he joins ours.Welcome to Team Liquid. The future of chess starts here. 💙🇮🇳
Pragg உன்னை… pic.twitter.com/50yLIJgGd3— Team Liquid (@TeamLiquid) June 28, 2025
Why Does This Move Mean More Than Just a Team Change?
This isn’t just about brand deals. Carlsen and Praggnanandhaa joining the Team Liquid chess team signals where chess is heading next.
Online platforms like Chess.com and Twitch have already boosted fast-play formats. Now, chess is becoming part of the esports world in an official way — with major teams, sponsors, and global events.
Pragg, who impressed everyone by reaching the 2023 World Cup final, brings youthful energy and fearless gameplay. With Carlsen’s sharp mind and years of top-level experience, the Team Liquid chess team now feels like a serious contender to win it all.
Pankaj Kapoor’s Opinion
Traditional chess hasn’t exactly been the go-to for younger fans. But this? This changes the game completely.
By bringing together a legend and a rising star under a powerful esports brand, the Team Liquid chess team is leading a new wave.
This isn’t just about preparing for Riyadh. It’s about showing that chess can be fast, fierce, and global — and it absolutely belongs on the esports stage.
With Carlsen and Praggnanandhaa teaming up, the Team Liquid chess team is now the one everyone’s watching.
