Riyadh, Feb. 8 -- The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) today announced Chess as the latest of 16 titles that national teams and players will compete in at the inaugural Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), set to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 2 through 29, 2026.

Chess at ENC 2026 will host an unprecedented number of competitors, enabling new talent and underrepresented nations to compete on a major stage as the historically significant game grows into a larger esport, according to a release.

Here's everything you need to know about Chess at ENC 2026:

Schedule and format

- The Chess tournament at ENC will begin on November 2, 2026, and will conclude with the playoff final on November 8, 2026.

- The opening portion of the ...