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Carlsen, Lazavik To Battle It Out In Esports World Cup Final

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GM Magnus Carlsen scored a 2.5-0.5 victory over GM Nihal Sarin after which gained a 4-1 thriller in opposition to GM Alireza Firouzja to achieve the Last of the 2026 Esports World Cup. Carlsen will face off in opposition to 19-year-old GM Denis Lazavik, who pounced on errors and gave virtually no probabilities to GMs Nodirbek Abdusattorov (3-2) and Hikaru Nakamura (3.5-1.5). Nakamura will face Firouzja within the Third-Place Match, with Crew Falcons assured all of the factors from that conflict of teammates.

The ultimate matches of the Esports World Cup begin on Saturday, August 15, at 7 a.m. ET / 13:00 CEST / 4:30 p.m. IST.

Carlsen-Firouzja was a repeat of the 2025 closing. Photograph: Esports World Cup.

Semifinals:

Quarterfinals:

An intense day’s motion left us with simply two undefeated gamers.

Esports World Cup Playoffs Bracket

One other intense seven-hour day of chess motion in Paris noticed all of the best-of-four Quarterfinals and best-of-six Semifinals accomplished, in order that simply two matches stay. Let’s begin with the Semifinals.

Semifinals: Deja Vu

There was a really acquainted look to the 4 gamers who reached the Esports World Cup Semifinals, since they’d additionally confronted off within the Speed Chess Championship earlier this 12 months in London.

Actually, the semifinal pairings precisely matched these of the Last and Third-Place Match in London, with the identical outcomes. 

Lazavik 3.5-1.5 Nakamura

Denis Lazavik gave few probabilities to Hikaru Nakamura. Photograph: Esports World Cup.

Lazavik has a really explicit model of play, with Carlsen describing it as follows: “He simply doesn’t beat himself! He performs very, very stable positional chess and doesn’t actually place his items on unhealthy squares.”

He simply does not beat himself!

—Magnus Carlsen on Denis Lazavik

“I believe he didn’t have any probability to win at any level,” mentioned Lazavik of his victory over Nakamura, and in reality it was the Belarusian who might have scored extra closely. Nakamura mentioned he was “in all probability worse” within the first recreation, however he’d briefly been completely misplaced when he took on c6.

28…Ne2+ wins, since if the king strikes to h1, the black queen provides examine from h2 and White is immediately busted.

The second recreation was, in Nakamura’s phrases, “a lifeless draw from the opening,” whereas the match hinged on the third recreation. “I made one unhealthy transfer and I received punished for it,” mentioned the five-time U.S. champion, whose 26.Ne1? allowed Lazavik’s light-squared bishop to invade the place. The conversion was flawless.

That left Nakamura within the tough scenario of needing to hit again, however he received nothing within the subsequent recreation with Black and mentioned it ought to in all probability have been “a boring draw.” After an extended assume, nonetheless, he combined issues up and blundered a pawn with 27…Qf6?.

The easy 28.Qa8+! and 29.Qxd5 picked up the d-pawn, however this time there was nothing clean about what adopted. Lazavik allowed a straightforward means for Nakamura to strike again, however fortuitously that was missed, since in the long run we received to witness a “miracle” save with a sequence of checks after which a stalemate tactic with a desperado queen.

That is the form of turnaround that might simply have been the beginning of a superb comeback, however Nakamura received nothing within the subsequent recreation with White earlier than collapsing in a still-holdable pawn-down rook endgame. He commented: “I spent 5 minutes on one transfer, and on this time management you possibly can’t try this. Most likely I might have made a draw later, however it’s what it’s.”

Nakamura had no complaints, saying of Lazavik’s win: “It’s very, very deserved! He performed nice, and we’ll see how he does tomorrow in opposition to Magnus.”

Nakamura solutions questions after his loss. Picture: Esports World Cup broadcast.

That was a curious assertion, given Nakamura’s teammate Firouzja was but to play his semifinal in opposition to Carlsen, however it might show prophetic.

Carlsen 4-1 Firouzja

Carlsen did Carlsen issues, nevertheless it was an enormous combat. Photograph: Esports World Cup.

This was a repeat of each the 2025 Esports World Cup Last and the Velocity Chess Championship Last earlier this 12 months and it might, finally, have the identical final result. Carlsen commented after it was over: “I believe this was by far my finest efficiency to date within the event. I believe it was a really, superb match. Final 12 months I felt that I used to be enjoying higher and urgent him on time as nicely. At present I fairly rapidly realized that my finest probability was to press him on time in a variety of these conditions, and fortuitously it managed to work out.”

At present I fairly rapidly realized that my finest probability was to press him on time.

—Magnus Carlsen

The primary recreation was suggestive of the drama we might witness, with Firouzja recognizing some very sharp techniques.

19…Nf4! and 20…Nxg2! compelled Carlsen to discover a very slim path to carry, however the three minutes Firouzja took to persuade himself to go that route finally meant he was comfortable to take a draw when the mud had settled.

Objectively, Carlsen was then by no means higher (or severely worse) within the second recreation, a lot of which he spent a pawn down, however when it comes to the clocks it was a nail-biter. Close to the top he seemed favourite to flag his opponent, however Firouzja confirmed his standard acceleration and precision to liquidate every little thing to reveal kings—with 7.9 seconds to Carlsen’s two minutes and 10 seconds. “Sure, I can take extra time than the opposite gamers—on the finish I could make many quick strikes,” Firouzja had mentioned earlier within the day, however in opposition to Carlsen it was a harmful recreation to play.

Alireza Firouzja depends on his unbelievable pace, however typically even he wants extra time. Photograph: Maria Emelianova/Chess.com.

“The third recreation clearly was essential,” mentioned Carlsen, with play initially going very easily for the world number-one, who appeared to be positionally outplaying his opponent. Problems arose, nonetheless, and the main target modified. Carlsen famous that Firouzja thought for too lengthy, and felt that if he might “arrange this building that he can not break,” then the time distinction could be an enormous issue. 42.Qxc6? is a blunder, nonetheless, permitting 42…Qe3!, with the thought of …Qf4+, …Rb1, and attacking the white king.

All the things was balanced on a knife-edge: “I missed this concept he had of activating his items, and it was actually form of harrowing, the place it felt as if I would lose rapidly, however I additionally wished to verify he didn’t drive a draw, as a result of I didn’t know if I used to be going to get a greater probability to win on time.”

It felt as if I would lose rapidly, however I additionally wished to verify he did not drive a draw, as a result of I did not know if I used to be going to get a greater probability to win on time.

—Magnus Carlsen on Sport 3 in opposition to Firouzja

In the long run, even Firouzja could not navigate the problems with so little time, and Carlsen picked up the win.

Carlsen led with three video games to go, and would wrap up victory with one other two wins, nevertheless it was something however simple: “The final two video games had been absolute bloodbaths as nicely, however at that time at the least I knew that I had some cash within the financial institution, so I might afford to slide up as soon as and nonetheless be OK, however I’m very pleased with the best way that I managed to combat in these final two video games as nicely, as a result of they had been each actually tough. He simply by no means goes down and not using a combat!”

The final two video games had been absolute bloodbaths as nicely!

—Magnus Carlsen

Sport 4 noticed Carlsen in addition to Firouzja moving into time hassle, and immediately Firouzja took over on the board.

32.Rxd7! is even successful, although the total penalties of permitting 32…Ne2+ are onerous to fathom. As an alternative 32.Qxe5? handed the initiative to Carlsen, and the world number-one saved the higher hand for nearly all the mayhem that adopted.

That meant Carlsen now led by two factors with simply two video games to go, in order that Firouzja needed to win each on demand to drive armageddon. He really did generate successful probabilities within the fifth recreation, however as soon as once more it was Carlsen who performed quicker and simply nicely sufficient to clinch one other win.

Carlsen was requested about some criticism he is obtained about his stage of play lately and could not assist however smile.

Within the Last, a repeat of this 12 months’s Velocity Chess Championship Semifinal, Carlsen and Lazavik will compete over two four-game units, with a possible two-game decider if the scores are stage at one set every. At stake is $250,000 for the winner, and $190,000 for the runner-up.

Firouzja seemed like Carlsen’s biggest rival, however can Denis Lazavik take over that position? Photograph: Esports World Cup.

Carlsen mentioned of his younger opponent: “He’s actually, actually good! I believe by this level anybody who underestimates him is in for a bit little bit of a shock, so he’s earned his proper to be right here and it’s actually no accident.” Lazavik mentioned, “I can be rooting for Alireza as a result of I don’t need to play in opposition to Magnus!” however on the similar time, he famous that within the Last is the perfect time to play the defending champion.

Each gamers will look to recharge after a really lengthy day of chess.

Quarterfinals

Lazavik 3-2 Abdusattorov

Lazavik introduced his kind early on with an especially convincing win over GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov. The Uzbek star had chosen his opponent the day earlier than and will have regretted selecting such a superb technical participant as an alternative of the extra unpredictable GM Hans Niemann. If anybody had probabilities within the 4 attracts, it was Lazavik, however Abdusattorov’s hope was that he gained the bid to have Black in armageddon and want solely a fifth draw.

Lazavik has seemed completely at dwelling in Paris. Photograph: Esports World Cup.

It did not occur, nonetheless, with Lazavik discovering a approach to win in what ought to have been a drawn pawn-up rook endgame.

Lazavik commented: “Such positions are very disagreeable, like with Sina [Movahed] I had one thing related. It’s fairly equal, nevertheless it’s not a draw, and eventually you get low on time and it’s very onerous to defend.”

Lazavik even felt he would have gained on time in the event that they’d received down to reveal rook vs. rook. 

Nakamura 3-2 Arjun

This conflict additionally noticed 4 attracts adopted by an armageddon win for White, however the first draw particularly might simply have been extra. In a strategically busted place—the black a-pawn is able to run—Nakamura sacrificed a rook.

It was a superb however flawed idea, however to show it GM Arjun Erigaisi needed to discover what might have been the transfer of the day. He did not, and the sport fizzled out into a fast draw.

The remaining three 10+0 video games had been tense attracts. Then in armageddon Nakamura was shocked to not win after bidding 6 minutes 59 seconds. Arjun undercut him with 6:45.

Arjun solely wanted a draw, however he received his king caught within the heart, got here beneath a heavy assault, and was unable to save lots of the sport.

No armageddon was wanted within the different half of the draw.

Firouzja 2.5-1.5 Niemann

Niemann might by no means fairly get well from the opening loss. Photograph: Maria Emelianova/Chess.com.

This conflict was successfully determined in a single second of the primary recreation, when Niemann withdrew his bishop to a8, lacking that Firouzja might fork the 2 black rooks from e6, for the reason that black queen is pinned. A second of horrible realization adopted earlier than Niemann merely resigned.

Niemann had an opportunity to hit straight again in recreation two, then narrowly escaped a match-ending defeat in recreation three, earlier than the ultimate recreation was a thriller. Black seemed busted, however Firouzja discovered a approach to maintain issues collectively—then escaped in 132 strikes with 8.1 seconds to spare.

The ultimate quarterfinal was a repeat of a quarterfinal in 2025.

Carlsen 2.5-0.5 Nihal

The scoreline would even be precisely the identical, with Carlsen getting off to an ideal begin in opposition to Nihal.

That clean mixture of techniques and positional play is our Sport of the Day, which GM Rafael Leitao analyzes beneath.

“The final two video games had been actually messy, so I used to be actually comfortable to not need to play a fourth!” mentioned Carlsen, however he counterattacked in effective model to win the second, whereas the deciding recreation ended drawn with solely temporary moments of actual hazard for the defending champion.

Carlsen received to crush Nihal’s key…

…however will he handle to crush Lazavik’s to defend his title? All can be selected Saturday’s closing day of Esports World Cup chess motion.

Up to now Lazavik has finished the crushing. Photograph: Esports World Cup.

watch?

You’ll be able to comply with the 2026 Esports World Cup video games on our Events Page. You’ll be able to watch dwell commentary on the Chess.com YouTube channel and on each the Chess.com and Chess24 Twitch channels.


The 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris, France has a $1.5 million chess prize fund and $250,000 for first place, whereas esports groups additionally share a $30 million prize fund. 16 gamers certified by way of the Champions Chess Tour, DreamHack Atlanta, India Rising, or as defending champion (Carlsen), whereas one other 5 certified by way of the Final Probability Qualifier (August 4-6) in Paris. The primary occasion (August 11-15) encompasses a Play-In to chop the sphere to 16 gamers, then a Group Stage with two double-elimination teams to halve it once more to eight. These gamers then compete within the Playoffs, a single-elimination knockout for the title. The time management for all video games is 10 minutes, with no increment.    

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