Benjamin Bok defeats Vidit Gujrathi to qualify for Esports World Cup 2026 Chess event in Mumbai
Dutch Grandmaster Benjamin Bok defeated India’s Vidit Gujrathi 2–1 in sets to qualify for the Esports World Cup 2026 Chess event in Mumbai. The event concluded India Rising: Road to EWC, a gaming and esports festival showcasing India’s digital ecosystem
Hyderabad: Dutch Grandmaster Benjamin Bok secured qualification for the Esports World Cup 2026 Chess competition after defeating Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi 2-1 in sets at the India Rising: Road to EWC Powered by BASF Grand Finals, held at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai.
The event marked the culmination of India Rising: Road to EWC, a first-of-its-kind gaming and youth culture festival launched by JioBLAST and the Esports Foundation (EF). Bringing together competitive chess, esports, gaming creators, fan experiences and live entertainment, the event positioned Mumbai at the centre of India’s rapidly growing gaming ecosystem.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis said gaming had emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of the global entertainment economy, and India has the talent and digital capability to play a leading role in its future.
“Maharashtra is committed to creating an enabling ecosystem for gaming, esports, digital content and the creator economy through progressive policies, world-class infrastructure and industry partnerships. India Rising: Road to EWC represents an important step towards creating global opportunities for Indian youth while strengthening Maharashtra’s position as a hub for the digital creative economy,” he said.