Russian chess grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi has officially joined Aurora Gaming, marking a significant milestone as the first chess player to sign with the Serbian esports organization. He is currently the highest-ranked chess player in Russia and holds the ninth position in the International Chess Federation (FIDE) rankings.

In addition to his impressive ranking, Nepomniachtchi is the reigning Blitz Chess World Champion, sharing this title with Magnus Carlsen. He will represent Aurora Gaming at major events, including:

• Champions Chess Tour (CCT) set for February and May
• 2025 Esports World Cup, scheduled to begin on June 28, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Aurora Gaming has expressed excitement about this signing, highlighting Nepomniachtchi’s unique position as both a prominent Dota streamer and a chess grandmaster. This development reflects a growing trend among leading esports teams to incorporate chess into their lineups, with other notable players like Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen also joining various organizations.

📎 Related coverage from: gaming.news