Praggnanandhaa Joins Carlsen and Caruana to Form Team Liquid’s Chess Powerhouse
Team Liquid has officially welcomed Indian chess sensation GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu to its roster, solidifying one of the strongest lineups in competitive chess. The 19-year-old grandmaster joins forces with two chess legends—GM Magnus Carlsen and GM Fabiano Caruana—under the Dutch esports banner.
The announcement comes just one day after Praggnanandhaa clinched victory at the 2nd UzChess Cup in Uzbekistan, continuing his stellar form in 2025. With this signing, Team Liquid becomes the most formidable contender heading into the upcoming $1.5 million Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, scheduled for July 29–August 1.
The esports giant made the news public through a celebratory video on social media, receiving an outpouring of support from the global chess community. Notably, GM Hikaru Nakamura hailed Praggnanandhaa as a “rare gem in the chess world.”
Although the young Indian grandmaster won’t contribute points to Team Liquid’s score in the EWC Club Championship this year due to a late signing, his inclusion signals the team’s long-term ambitions. The organization secured him on a multi-year contract, preventing other top teams from recruiting him.
More than 25 top GMs have been signed by esports teams in advance of the EWC. While players will compete individually, their performances also contribute to their team’s chances in the overall Club Championship, which features a record-breaking $27 million prize pool, including a $7 million grand prize.
Despite missing the Club Championship deadline, Praggnanandhaa remains eligible for the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) from July 24-26, where he will compete for one of the remaining four spots in the EWC main event. Fellow contenders include GMs Andrew Tang, Oleksandr Bortnyk, Aravindh Chithambaram, and Alexey Sarana.
2025 has already been a banner year for Praggnanandhaa. In addition to multiple tournament wins, he has reached a career-high world ranking of No. 4 and currently leads the FIDE Circuit standings, placing him on track for the 2026 Candidates Tournament—the penultimate step toward the World Chess Championship.
With this historic signing, Team Liquid has built a chess dynasty that could redefine the landscape of chess in esports.
