Tweet
https://esportsnationscup.com/en/news/chess-takes-the-enc-stage
Chess Takes the Esports Nations Cup Stage
Feb 06, 2026.
Chess is set to take the global stage at the Esports Nations Cup in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, bringing one of the world’s most iconic strategy games into a nation-based format. 128 players will compete on PC in 1v1 matches for a share of a $600,000 prize pool, with national pride and supremacy on the line.
Tournament Details: Format, Dates, and Qualifiers
The Chess competition runs during tournament week 1, from November 2nd to November 8th. The event features 128 participants competing in a two-stage format played in a Rapid 10+0 time control. It begins with 16 groups of eight players, competing in round-robin best-of-two matches. The top performers advance to a 64-player single elimination bracket, where every match determines who moves forward, with Armageddon games used as tie-breakers, culminating in a Grand Final.
Qualifiers will take place on June 6th through 7th and June 13th through 14th. The first stage is a Swiss system, where players face multiple opponents in best-of-one matches to determine seeding. The top performers advance to a double-elimination stage, where each match determines who moves forward.
56 qualifying slots and eight wildcard entries will be awarded, determining which players earn their place at the main event. An additional 64 competitors will be invited based on the official Champions Chess Tour rankings. Each nation may have up to two representatives at the event. If a nation receives a direct invite through the rankings, only one additional player from that nation may qualify through the regional qualifiers, while nations without a direct invite may still qualify two players.
The regional qualifiers will be hosted and operated by Chess.com, the world’s leading online chess platform, ensuring high-quality competition and reliable tournament infrastructure for players across all regions.
Regional qualifiers will provide an opportunity for emerging talent and underrepresented nations to compete. Each region is allocated 8 qualifying slots, with two qualifiers held per region. The breakdown is as follows: North America, South America, Africa, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East + India + Central Asia, and East Asia + Southeast Asia + Oceania. This structure ensures global representation and balanced competition at the main event.
Chess Takes the Esports Nations Cup Stage
Feb 06, 2026.
Chess is set to take the global stage at the Esports Nations Cup in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia, bringing one of the world’s most iconic strategy games into a nation-based format. 128 players will compete on PC in 1v1 matches for a share of a $600,000 prize pool, with national pride and supremacy on the line.
Tournament Details: Format, Dates, and Qualifiers
The Chess competition runs during tournament week 1, from November 2nd to November 8th. The event features 128 participants competing in a two-stage format played in a Rapid 10+0 time control. It begins with 16 groups of eight players, competing in round-robin best-of-two matches. The top performers advance to a 64-player single elimination bracket, where every match determines who moves forward, with Armageddon games used as tie-breakers, culminating in a Grand Final.
Qualifiers will take place on June 6th through 7th and June 13th through 14th. The first stage is a Swiss system, where players face multiple opponents in best-of-one matches to determine seeding. The top performers advance to a double-elimination stage, where each match determines who moves forward.
56 qualifying slots and eight wildcard entries will be awarded, determining which players earn their place at the main event. An additional 64 competitors will be invited based on the official Champions Chess Tour rankings. Each nation may have up to two representatives at the event. If a nation receives a direct invite through the rankings, only one additional player from that nation may qualify through the regional qualifiers, while nations without a direct invite may still qualify two players.
The regional qualifiers will be hosted and operated by Chess.com, the world’s leading online chess platform, ensuring high-quality competition and reliable tournament infrastructure for players across all regions.
Regional qualifiers will provide an opportunity for emerging talent and underrepresented nations to compete. Each region is allocated 8 qualifying slots, with two qualifiers held per region. The breakdown is as follows: North America, South America, Africa, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East + India + Central Asia, and East Asia + Southeast Asia + Oceania. This structure ensures global representation and balanced competition at the main event.