Layout by: Jibzen Patriarca
Published by: Jeliana Atabay
Date Published: August 26, 2025
Time Published: 10:05 AM
The World Chess Champion and Greatest Of All Time, Magnus Carlsen of Team Liquid, proved once again why he remains the undisputed king of chess, clinching the first Chess Esports World Cup (EWC) 2025 against Team Falcons' Alireza Firouzja in the grand finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, August 1.
The matchup, played in front of a roaring live crowd and millions watching online, was a rollercoaster of tactical and strategic depth.
Carlsen deployed a solid yet flexible English Opening, as Firouzja attempted an early queenside expansion, but Carlsen’s deep preparation kicked in, leading to a clean 1–0.
However, Firouzja’s response was a thunderclap; a daring rook lift followed by a kingside pawn storm caught Carlsen momentarily off balance and levelled the match 1–1.
While the tension was rising, both players opted for caution; a blunder by Firouzja in game three pushed the series to 2-1, with Magnus on match point.
The grand finale was pure adrenaline, with a pawn sacrifice on d5 opening central lines, flipping the initiative in Carlsen's favor, and forcing resignation from Firouzja.
The victory carried extra spice after Team Falcons had tweeted before the event, “Better win in other games, because you’re not taking chess."
"Better do well in other games because you’re not going to win chess," Carlsen responded to Team Falcons' trash-talking tweet in an interview.
By lifting the first-ever Esports World Cup trophy for chess, Carlsen not only pockets a hefty winner’s purse but also stamps his authority in the fast-growing world of hybrid over-the-board and online competitive chess.
As the lights dimmed in Riyadh’s packed venue, one thing was clear. Whether in classical tournaments or cutting-edge esports arenas, Carlsen still wears the crown, and he’s not letting go anytime soon.
REFERENCES:
[1] International Chess Federation. (2025, August 02). Magnus Carlsen wins first ever edition of Chess Esports World Cup. https://www.fide.com/magnus-carlsen-wins-first-ever-edition-of-chess-esports-world-cup/. Fide.
[2] Colondro, C. A. (2025, August 2). Magnus Carlsen breaks new ground, wins first edition of Chess Esports World Cup. https://en.chessbase.com/post/esports-world-cup-2025-day-4. Chess News.
[3] Bourne, V. (2025, August 02). Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen wins at Esports World Cup. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce3jl1kgyv0o. BBC.
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