NODWIN and Chess.com Forge Partnership Amid Chess Surge in India

NODWIN Gaming, one of South Asia's leading esports companies, has formed a strategic partnership with Chess.com and ChessBase India to establish a comprehensive chess esports ecosystem in the rapidly growing Indian market, the companies announced in a joint statement.

The collaboration comes as chess experiences unprecedented growth in India, with the ancient game now ranking as the country's fourth most-watched sport behind cricket, kabaddi, and popular mobile gaming tournaments. The partnership positions the three organizations to capitalize on what industry executives describe as a generational shift in how Indians engage with competitive chess.

Chess.com, the world's largest online chess platform, reported record engagement in 2024 with over 7.6 billion matches played by 200 million users globally. India represents a crucial growth market for the platform, contributing more than nine million active players and averaging 550,000 new monthly registrations. These figures underscore the commercial potential driving the strategic alliance.

"Chess has now become the fourth most-watched sport in the country after cricket, kabaddi, and BGMI tournaments," said Akshat Rathee, Managing Director and Co-founder of NODWIN Gaming. "With this partnership, we're not just supporting a heritage game, we're aiding in its natural course of progression."

The timing of the partnership aligns with chess's formal recognition as an esports discipline, marking a pivotal moment for competitive chess globally. The game will be featured at the 2025 Esports World Cup, where India-based organization S8UL will compete for a $1.5 million prize pool. S8UL has already signed chess grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Aravindh Chithambaram to form India's first professional chess esports team.

ChessBase India, the domestic arm of the German chess organization focused on grassroots development, brings crucial local expertise to the partnership. The company has spent the past decade building chess infrastructure across India, establishing the foundation for broader commercial expansion.

"This partnership is not just a business alliance—it's a vision to grow the chess community in India from the grassroots to the grand stage," said Sagar Shah, CEO of ChessBase India. "We hope to bring forth more opportunities to all those involved in the chess ecosystem."

The alliance plans to develop what executives term a "future-ready ecosystem" through community events, professional leagues, and nationwide broadcasts. This infrastructure approach mirrors successful models in traditional sports and other esports categories, suggesting significant investment potential as the partners seek to transform chess from cultural heritage into mainstream entertainment.