S8UL star Aravindh scripts history, becomes first Indian in Esports World Cup Chess

S8UL Grandmaster Aravindh Chithambaram scripted a historic moment for Indian chess after becoming the first Indian player to qualify for the Chess main event at the Esports World Cup 2026.

The 26-year-old secured his spot after emerging victorious in the Road to EWC qualifier at DreamHack Atlanta, helping S8UL confirm qualification for its third title at the Esports World Cup 2026 following earlier entries in Fortnite and Honor of Kings.

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Played in a high-pressure rapid format featuring 10-minute games without increment, the qualifiers saw Aravindh navigate a stacked field with remarkable composure. After progressing from Group B with wins over Kyler Raines, Justin Liang, Oleksander Bortnyk, and Christopher Woo, the Indian Grandmaster stepped up when it mattered most in the playoffs.

He edged past Woo 2-1 in the Upper Bracket semifinal through an Armageddon tiebreak before defeating Alexey Sarana 2-1 in the Upper Bracket final to book his place in the grand final.

The title clash turned into a dramatic test of nerves. Sarana, fighting through the Lower Bracket, won the opening two games and pushed the contest into a final Armageddon decider. But Aravindh held his nerve under immense pressure to complete a sensational comeback and seal qualification.

Along with earning USD 15,000 in prize money, Aravindh secured one of the eight direct qualification spots for the EWC 2026 Chess main event, which will be held from August 11 to 15 with a total prize pool of USD 1.5 million.

“Qualifying for the Esports World Cup this year is a very proud and exciting moment for me, especially with so many top players and organizations from around the world competing at the event,” Aravindh said.

“This format leaves very little room for error because every decision matters in 10-minute games without increment. I’m also grateful to S8UL for their support and belief in me. Their vision for chess and Indian talent has been incredibly encouraging.”

S8UL co-founder and CEO Animesh Agarwal hailed the achievement as a landmark moment for Indian chess and esports.

“We’ve always believed India has the talent to stand alongside the very best in the world. Seeing Aravindh become the first Indian to qualify for the Esports World Cup Chess event reinforces that belief,” Agarwal said.

Meanwhile, fellow S8UL Grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Pranesh M remain in contention for qualification through the Champions Chess Tour Leaderboard and upcoming qualifiers.

The Esports World Cup 2026, scheduled from July 6 to August 23, is expected to feature more than 2,000 players from over 100 countries competing for a record-breaking USD 75 million prize pool, making it one of the biggest esports events in the world.