Praggnanandhaa Joins Carlsen, Caruana As Team Liquid Builds Chess Superteam
Team Liquid's chess roster just got even stronger. The Dutch esports powerhouse has added world number-four GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu to their ranks, joining superstar GMs Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana.
The 19-year-old Indian prodigy was unveiled as Team Liquid's third grandmaster a day after he won the 2nd UzChess Cup in Uzbekistan. Carlsen and Caruana already signed for the Dutch esports organization on February 14.
Team Liquid shared the announcement in a video posted on their social media platforms, with Praggnanandhaa responding with his excitement:
Super excited to be part of @TeamLiquid !
— Praggnanandhaa (@rpraggnachess) June 28, 2025
From India to the world, let’s take chess to the next level together!
அன்பான வரவேற்புக்கு நன்றி!#TeamLiquid25 https://t.co/HFjvXKOLCi
Praggnanandhaa, one of the few top grandmasters who had not yet signed with an esports team, now joins what is the most formidable roster assembled ahead of the $1.5 million Esports World Cup (EWC), which takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from July 29 to August 1.
World #1, #3, #4.
— Team Liquid (@TeamLiquid) July 8, 2025
This is Team Liquid Chess
We're Scaling. #TeamLiquid25 #EWC pic.twitter.com/LEbK5vLlvN
Team Liquid's initial post also received a response from GM Hikaru Nakamura, who in a reply called Pragg a "rare gem in the chess world." Carlsen responded in his traditional fashion:
Whole lot of letters in Praggnanandhaa, but no «I»
— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) June 28, 2025
Welcome to the team🤝 https://t.co/iC7ZARpuo7
The EWC will see 16 of the world's top grandmasters compete for the $1.5 million prize fund, with 12 of them already having secured their ticket. In addition to Team Liquid's Carlsen and Caruana and Team Falcon's Nakamura, the other confirmed players are GMs Ian Nepomniachtchi (Aurora Gaming), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Team Vitality), Jan-Krzysztof Duda (Twisted Minds), Arjun Erigaisi (Gen.G Esports), Nodirbek Abdusattorov (NAVI), Vladislav Artemiev (Team Spirit), Vladimir Fedoseev, Fabiano Caruana (Team Liquid), and Wei Yi (Weibo Gaming).
Praggnanandhaa is among the many players who are expected to fight for the remaining four spots in the Last Chance Qualifier in the Saudi capital from July 24-26, together with GMs Oleksandr Bortnyk, Alexey Sarana, Aravindh Chithambaram, and Andrew Tang, who all won a trip to the LCQ through DreamHack Dallas.
More than 25 of the world's top grandmasters have been picked up by esports organizations ahead of the EWC. The players are not just competing individually but also representing their teams fighting for prizes at the overall Club Championship. The event has an astonishing $27 million prize fund, with the winner cashing in $7 million.
Although Praggnanandhaa signed after the May 31 deadline, meaning he won’t be eligible to contribute points for Team Liquid in the Club Championship portion of the EWC this year, his addition significantly bolsters the team’s long-term strength.
Together will Carlsen and Caruana, the trio will be regarded among the big favorites in future EWC events. Also, Team Liquid has signed the rising star in a multi-year deal, guaranteeing he can't be picked up by other teams.
Praggnanandhaa is the fourth Indian to sign for an esports organization. Arjun was already picked up by Gen.G on February 5, while GMs Nihal Sarin and Aravindh joined the Mumbai-based esports organization S8UL on April 13.
This signing caps an extraordinary run for Praggnanandhaa in 2025. He has already won three major international events and climbed to world number-four in the FIDE rankings, his career-high. He currently leads the FIDE Circuit standings, putting him in pole position to qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the final step before a potential World Chess Championship match.
Previous coverage:
- Top GMs Join Esports Teams In Final Chess.com Classic Rush
- 'Historic Moment For Indian Chess' As Aravindh, Nihal Are Picked Up By S8UL
- Speed Chess Stars Dubov, Artemiev Picked Up By Team Spirit
- 'Hilarious And Winning Personality' Anish Giri Joins Team Secret For Esports World Cup Push
- Firouzja Joins Nakamura At Team Falcons, Yu Yangyi Signs With Wolves Esports
- Nakamura Signs For Esports World Champion Team Falcons, Nepo Joins Aurora
- Abdusattorov, So, Bortnyk Join Ukrainian Esports Team; Wei Yi Signs For Weibo
- Magnus Carlsen And Fabiano Caruana Sign With Esports Giant Team Liquid
- Ding Liren Signs With Chinese Esports Team, Reveals Return To Chess
- Vachier-Lagrave Signs With Team Vitality Ahead Of Esports World Cup
- Arjun, Murzin Become First Chess Stars Signed Ahead Of Esports World Cup
