Kasparov throws his weight behind Grand Chess Tour as Carlsen picks Esports World Cup: 'Sindarov and Gukesh...'

The debate around the scheduling of top chess tournaments has once again come into focus after former world champion Garry Kasparov strongly backed the Grand Chess Tour, while Magnus Carlsen and several elite players shift their attention to the Esports World Cup.

Speaking about the upcoming Grand Chess Tour 2026, Kasparov praised the tournament for its consistency and quality over the years. He called it a “solid” event that continues to remain important in the chess world despite the rise of newer competitions.

"We are entering now the second decade of Grand Chess Tour, its 11th edition. And this series still keeps the world of chess very excited,” Kasparov said. “We have new players coming in, and of course, as it often happens with great tournaments, we have a new intrigue," Kasparov said.

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Kasparov also pointed to the upcoming clash between FIDE Candidates winner Javokhir Sindarov and reigning world champion D Gukesh, calling it an interesting moment for fans. “Who would have imagined that Warsaw will feature first game between Sindarov and Gukesh. Pure coincidence, but it’s a lucky one. It shows GCT is always at the cutting edge," he added.

Although Gukesh has withdrawn from long-form games at GCT to focus more on training, he will face his World Chess Championship challenger Sindarov in the first leg in Poland - the Super Rapid and Blitz 2026. When Gukesh announced his withdrawal from the event, Sindarov was named his replacement as a regular on the tour.

However, at the same time, American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura has confirmed that world No.1 Magnus Carlsen will skip the Grand Chess Tour to play in the Esports World Cup (EWC). French star Alireza Firouzja has also chosen the same path. Nakamura himself said he will also be competing in the Esports event, meaning three of the biggest names in modern chess will miss parts of the GCT.

“As far as I know, neither EWC nor GCT have changed the dates. I’m going to be playing EWC. Alireza Firouzja is going to be playing EWC. Magnus, of course, will be playing the EWC,” Nakamura said.

The Esports World Cup, with a $1.5 million prize fund, will run in August. Meanwhile, the Grand Chess Tour 2026, which features six tournaments and a $2 million prize pool, begins on May 5 in Warsaw.