Faker and Chovy have spent years trying to outplay each other in League of Legends, but at the Esports World Cup 2026, the two rivals traded Summoner’s Rift for 64 squares.

The Korean mid-laners are two of the biggest names in esports, with Faker widely regarded as the greatest League of Legends player of all time, while Chovy has emerged as one of the few players capable of repeatedly challenging him at the highest level.

Their rivalry usually plays out through teamfights, lane pressure, and championship runs. This time, however, there was no keyboard or Baron steal in sight.

Instead, Faker and Chovy sat down over a handmade chessboard for a match of a very different kind. The exact board they played on and later signed is now heading to auction as a one-off collectible.

Faker and Chovy chessboard auction runs until August 31

The chess match took place during a content shoot at the Esports World Cup on July 14, bringing two players known for their strategy and decision-making into another game built around both.

Esports Word Cup

After facing off, Faker and Chovy each signed the handmade board. It has since become the first one-of-one collectible released by the Esports World Cup, with no duplicate or additional edition planned.

The board comes with a set of premium chess pieces and a certificate confirming it is the same one used by Faker and Chovy during the shoot.

It also arrives after the latest chapter in their League of Legends rivalry. Both players entered EWC 2026 with one title each before meeting in the third-place match, where Chovy and Gen.G defeated Faker’s T1.

Chovy may have taken their latest head-to-head, but neither player won the race to become the first two-time EWC champion. That battle will continue beyond this year’s tournament.

The auction is now live through the EWC website and will remain open until August 31, 2026, launching alongside the Chess tournament at the Esports World Cup 2026.

Once bidding closes, the proceeds will be divided between T1, Gen.G, and the Esports Foundation. The money will be used to support player wellbeing initiatives across the esports community.