Aravindh becomes 1st Indian chess player to qualify for Esports WC 2026

Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram became the first Indian chess player to qualify for the Esports World Cup 2026. Aravindh, who will be representing Mumbai-based esports organisation S8UL at the World Cup, secured his place at the event by winning the Road to EWC qualifier at DreamHack Atlanta. Magnus Carlsen, who competed under Team Liquid, won the inaugural title in 2025.