Magnus Carlsen wins the inaugural Chess Esports World Cup 2025
The World no.1, GM Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid) won both sets of the Finals against GM Alireza Firouzja (Team Falcons) to win the inaugural Chess Esports World Cup 2025. The finals were a best of three sets, similar to tennis. Carlsen clinched both sets with 3-1 score. He suffered the only loss in the first game of the second set. This win etched his name in history, earned him US$ 250000 and 1000 points for his team. Firouzja got $190000. GM Hikaru Nakamura (Team Falcons) defeated GM Arjun Erigaisi (Gen.G Esports) 3.5-2.5 to finish third. Nakamura got $145000 and Arjun $115000. With a victory at the Esports World Cup, one can only wonder whether Carlsen will return to India later this year and defend his FIDE World Cup crown with an aim to tie Levon Aronian's record of winning the grueling month-long event for the second time. Photo: Esports World Cup 2025
Hikaru Nakamura finishes third, Arjun Erigaisi fourth
The time control for all games is 10 minutes with no increment. All players are allowed to wear noise-canceling headphones and also listen to their choice of music if they wish to. This is on par with all chess esports events. Apart from US$ 1.5 Million prize fund, the chess players are also part esports teams of a shared $27 Million prize fund. As per the rules of the tournament, the loser of a match gets their key crushed by their opponent.
"Yeah I feel like the semifinals really is where it kind of culminated. That was a super super difficult match and it really hinged on a couple of moves in the Armageddon. Apart from the first game of the second set today, I felt like I was a lot more in control. I probably lost the first game because I rushed a little bit too much but overall I would rather occasionally rush than hesitate too much. So I am not too unhappy about that but yeah overall I was happy that I was faster and better today." - Magnus Carlsen
Finals: Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid) - Alireza Firouzja (Team Falcons): 2-0 (3-1, 3-1)
The Finals was a battle of best of three sets. Each set had four games and if needed the third set had two games, similar to tennis. GM Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid) won the first set 3-1 where he won the first and fourth game, the remaining two ending in draws. GM Alireza Firouzja (Team Falcons) started the second set with a victory. However, he lost the next three games in-a-row to lose the second consecutive set and match. Thus, Carlsen won the inaugural Chess Esports World Cup 2025.
Arjun Erigaisi (Gen.G Esports) - Hikaru Nakamura (Team Falcons): 2.5-3.5
GM Arjun Erigaisi (Gen.G Esports) started with a win over GM Hikaru Nakamura (Team Falcons). The second game was a draw. Nakamura won the next two, before Arjun delivering the equalizer. The Speed King, Nakamura won the sixth game to win the match 2.5-3.5 and finish third.
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Links
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Esports World Cup: Magnus Carlsen will face Alireza Firouzja in the Finals
@ 01/08/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |
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Esports World Cup: Nihal Sarin to face Magnus Carlsen in the Quarterfinals
@ 31/07/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |
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Esports World Cup: Aronian, Arjun, Firouzja and Carlsen advance to the Quarterfinals
@ 30/07/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |
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Esports World Cup Last Chance Qualifier: Nihal Sarin is the sole Indian to advance to the main event
@ 27/07/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |
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Esports World Cup Last Chance Qualifier: Praggnanandhaa and Nihal advance to the Playoffs
@ 26/07/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |