The highly anticipated 2025 Champions Chess Tour has begun with the Chessable Masters, the first of two crucial online events leading up to the prestigious Esports World Cup. The tournament, which kicked off on 16 February, has already delivered intense battles and major upsets, setting the stage for high-stakes clashes as top players vie for CCT points and a share of the $150,000 prize pool.

Chessable Masters: All you need to know

This year’s Champions Chess Tour has introduced a faster 10+0 time control, adding an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the games. With only two online events available to earn valuable points, competitors must maximise every opportunity to secure a spot in the top 12 of the CCT Leaderboard. The final top 12 will earn their place in the Esports World Cup, which boasts a historic $1,500,000 prize fund.

The Chessable Masters has attracted some of the biggest names in chess. Five-time Tour Champion and reigning world number one Magnus Carlsen leads the charge, alongside American speed grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura. Other notable contenders include Ian Nepomniachtchi, the two-time world championship finalist, and Wesley So, the three-time U.S. Champion. Adding to the mix is Indian grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi.

After the first day of the Chessable Masters Playoffs, four players remain in the Winners’ Bracket: Magnus Carlsen, Arjun Erigaisi, Hikaru Nakamura, and Alireza Firouzja. Erigaisi’s impressive journey to the Winners Bracket has fueled excitement among Indian chess fans. His upcoming clash against Carlsen will be a true test of his skills against the Norwegian legend.

Meanwhile, several elite players have found themselves in the Losers’ Bracket, including Fabiano Caruana, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, and Anish Giri. With two losses leading to elimination, the pressure is immense as these players fight to keep their championship hopes alive.

The tournament’s second day of playoffs will take place on Wednesday, 19 February, at 9:30 p.m. IST. The final is scheduled to take place on Friday, 21 February, where the last player standing will claim victory. As Erigaisi prepares to take on Carlsen, all eyes will be on this high-voltage encounter.