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Magnus Carlsen reacts after winning the inaugural chess event at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh. (PHOTOS: Carlsen and Team Liquid X)
Magnus Carlsen won the chess event at the Esports World Cup at Riyadh after defeating Alireza Firouzja in the final. Thanks to Carlsen’s victory, his outfit at the Esports World Cup, Team Liquid, took the lead in the overall championship standings. And right after creating history, Carlsen with a grin told the Esports World Cup organisers that maybe next time the chess event could be held on an “even bigger stage”.
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“I’m very, very, very happy. A little bit relieved as well, like there was a point in the second set where I just felt like I let him (Alireza) back in the match for for no reason. But overall, I’m happy with the way that I played and especially the way that I pressured him on the clock,” Carlsen said after winning the title. “Not only playing, but also watching the others. It’s been an amazing show. Um like unlike anything that I’ve seen so far. It’s just been a joy and I really hope that this is a big part of the future for for chess.”
Carlsen added: “One more thing, maybe we can get on an even bigger stage next time cause it seems like there was enough enough people who wanted to get in. But it’s been awesome. I’m really thankful to the EWC for believing in chess, for Team Liquid for believing in me as well.”
After the win, Carlsen was whisked away by the organisers in a golf buggy to another venue where he was handed a triangular key to insert in a totem to cement his name as a Esports World Cup champion.
Asked at the press conference if he will be back next year, Carlsen said with a smile: “As long as I know how the pieces move, I will try (to play) and do my very best in the in the EWC for years to come.”
https://t.co/wJdrb75qlw pic.twitter.com/9Y1fe3khKi
— Team Liquid (@TeamLiquid) August 1, 2025
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Carlsen was also offered the chance to pick triangular keys of any three players from the 16-player chess tournament to add to his trophy. He said he would pick the two Falcon players he defeated in the semis and final — Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza — but was open to suggestions about the third one.
“New ground conquered, it’s been an absolute thrill and joy from start to finish,” Carlsen posted on his X account after taking the title and an eyewatering prize money cheque of $250,000 (approximately Rs 2.1 crore).
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The final match of chess’ debut at the Esports World Cup was held as a best of three sets event: three four-game sets. The third set was never needed as Carlsen defeated Firouzja 2-0 with identical 3-1 victories in the first two sets.
This year, Carlsen has already won the Norway Chess tournament in the classical format and the SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz tournament in Zagreb besides winning one leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour earlier this year.
English (US) ·