Defending Champion GM Magnus Carlsen mentioned he was “in no form to play chess,” however he nonetheless beat GMs Andrey Esipenko and Hans Niemann 1.5-0.5 to achieve Friday’s Playoffs of the $1.5 million 2026 Esports World Cup. He is joined by GMs Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who all received two matches to advance, whereas the remaining 12 gamers will battle it out through the Decrease Brackets for the ultimate 4 spots. These embrace GM Ian Nepomniachtchi, who thumped the desk thrice after a painful armageddon defeat to Niemann.
Day two of the Group Stage of the Esports World Cup begins on Thursday, August 13 at 7 a.m. ET / 13:00 CEST / 4:30 p.m. IST.
It is a flash report—come again later for full protection of all of the day’s motion!
The 16 gamers remaining within the Esports World Cup had been break up into two teams of eight, who compete in double-elimination knockouts. Every match is 2 10+0 video games adopted, if wanted, by armageddon, and the format is easy—win two matches and also you’re via to Friday’s Playoffs, however lose two matches and also you’re out.
Esports World Cup Group A Bracket
Esports World Cup Group B Bracket
Our Sport of the Day is the extraordinary finale to the grudge match between Nepomniachtchi and Niemann, which Niemann received in armageddon.
Ian Nepomniachtchi thumps the desk 3 instances as he loses to Hans Niemann simply as he appeared on the verge of escaping — it is Niemann vs. Carlsen subsequent! 🍿https://t.co/VnGRdOHCHu#EWC2026 pic.twitter.com/Jnqc53Uxb3
— chess24 (@chess24com) August 12, 2026
GM Rafael Leitao will analyze the sport beneath.
The right way to watch?
The 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris, France, options chess for the second time, with a $1.5 million prize fund and $250,000 for first place, whereas chess gamers are additionally a part of esports groups that share a $30 million prize fund. 16 gamers certified through the Champions Chess Tour, DreamHack Atlanta, India Rising, or as defending champion (GM Magnus Carlsen), whereas one other 5 certified through the Final Likelihood Qualifier (August 4-6) in Paris. That occasion had a $50,000 prize fund, with 4 Swiss tournaments and a 16-player knockout. The principle occasion (August 11-15) includes 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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