The Esports World Cup's Surprising New Frontier The recent inclusion of chess in the Esports World Cup 2026 has sparked debate about what defines esports and its boundaries.
According to Mike McCabe, the tournament's COO, chess fits into competitive gaming due to its strong community and ecosystem – not because it resembles other games superficially.
This perspective highlights the evolving nature of esports itself. For years, the industry has struggled with defining what constitutes an esport.