Praggnanandhaa Joins Team Liquid, Nakamura’s Blitz Triumph, and London’s Chessfest Buzz
July 2025 marks a vibrant milestone in global chess, blending elite signings, online dominance, and widespread community engagement. R Praggnanandhaa’s entry into Team Liquid, Hikaru Nakamura and Nihal Sarin’s Titled Tuesday victories, and the upcoming ChessFest in Trafalgar Square illuminate the evolving reach of chess across esports, online platforms, and public spaces.
Praggnanandhaa Signs with Team Liquid
Following his triumph at the 2nd UzChess Cup, 19-year‑old Indian prodigy Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has joined Team Liquid, joining teammates Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana. Introduced via an announcement video, he expressed excitement: “Super excited to be part of Team Liquid! From India to the world, let’s take chess to the next level together!”.
Carlsen, also on the roster, playfully welcomed him: “Whole lot of letters in Praggnanandhaa, but no ‘I’. Welcome to the team”. This move cements chess’s growing presence in the esports sphere, ahead of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh (July 29–Aug 1), where Team Liquid aims for glory.
Nakamura & Sarin Dominate Titled Tuesday Blitz
July 8’s edition of Chess.com’s Titled Tuesday saw stellar performances: Nihal Sarin scored 10/11 to top the early event, and Hikaru Nakamura claimed victory in the late event with 9.5/11, tying but winning on tiebreaks. Nakamura also reset the record with a Chess.com blitz rating peak of 3416 (“3368 → 3416”), overtaking his previous record of 3408.
This performance underscores a clear narrative: online blitz remains a domain where elite grandmasters thrive, blending tactical speed with digital expertise. Notably, Sarin’s early win marks him as a rising force against seasoned competitors.
London’s ChessFest 2025 Draws 25,000+
On July 13, ChessFest 2025 is set to transform London’s Trafalgar Square into a bustling chess festival. Expected to draw over 25,000 enthusiasts, the event, now in its fifth year, will feature activities ranging from casual play to demonstrations by grandmasters, including appearances from stars of the BBC’s “Chess Masters: The Endgame”. Attendees can enjoy free coaching, simultaneous exhibitions, puzzle challenges, and partner events across the city.
ChessFest symbolizes the accessible and inclusive spirit of modern chess – a public celebration of the game’s cultural appeal. It offers a vibrant counterpoint to digital competition and esports by reconnecting chess with communal, face-to-face engagement.
What It All Means
These developments collectively highlight chess’s expanding ecosystem:
- Esports Integration: Praggnanandhaa’s signing reflects the blurred line between chess and esports, merging classical pedigree with digital teams and competitive branding.
- Online Excellence: Nakamura’s and Sarin’s shows on Titled Tuesday reinforce blitz as a proving ground for speed, precision, and real-time strategy.
- Community Outreach: ChessFest’s scale demonstrates that, even in a digital era, public chess events have strong resonance, reaching tens of thousands in urban spaces.
This synergy between high-stakes competition, online mastery, and community inclusion defines the direction of chess in 2025.
In just a week, chess has seen a rising champion enter the world stage through esports, blitz titans reaffirm their dominance online, and public engagement reach new heights. The Global Chess League celebrates this trifecta of progression across team ventures, digital arenas, and physical communities. As the Esports World Cup approaches and ChessFest unfolds, the world watches as chess cements its role as an inclusive, innovative, and culturally vibrant sport.
