World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen has made history by becoming the first-ever Chess Esports World Cup Champion, defeating GM Alireza Firouzja in a thrilling final in Riyadh. Carlsen claimed the $250,000 top prize and led his Team Liquid to a narrow lead in the overall Esports World Cup standings.
In the Grand Final, Carlsen faced Firouzja of Team Falcons, who had remained unbeaten throughout the event. However, the Norwegian chess legend dominated the match, winning both sets 3-1 in a best-of-three series, making a third set unnecessary. One key moment came in the opening game when Firouzja’s blunder 21…Qa3? allowed Carlsen to play the rare and decisive 22.Nb8!!, targeting the a8-rook and creating deadly back-rank threats.
Earlier, Carlsen had edged past GM Hikaru Nakamura in a tense 4-3 semifinal. Meanwhile, Nakamura bounced back to claim third place, beating GM Arjun Erigaisi in a fierce match that ended 3.5-2.5, with five of six games producing a decisive result.
The $1.5 million prize pool was split among the top finishers, and Carlsen’s performance pushed Team Liquid ahead of Team Falcons in the Esports Club standings, where a staggering $27 million is at stake across all disciplines.
With this victory, Carlsen adds a groundbreaking title to his legacy, embracing the digital future of chess and leading his team in the broader Esports arena.