New Delhi, May 18: In a historic achievement for Indian esports and chess, S8UL’s Aravindh Chithambaram has become the first Indian chess player to qualify for the Esports World Cup 2026.
The milestone marks a significant moment in the growing intersection of traditional chess and competitive esports, highlighting India’s rising presence in global digital sports platforms.
Aravindh Chithambaram’s qualification underscores his consistent performance and strong competitive record, enabling him to secure a place among the world’s elite participants at one of the biggest international esports events.
The Esports World Cup brings together top players from across multiple gaming and strategy-based disciplines, and the inclusion of chess continues to expand the sport’s global digital footprint.
This achievement is being viewed as a major boost for Indian esports, reflecting the country’s expanding talent pool and increasing recognition in international competitive gaming circuits.
With this qualification, Aravindh Chithambaram has set a new benchmark for Indian chess players in the esports ecosystem, opening doors for greater participation in future global tournaments.