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Carlsen Wins Another Esports World Cup: 7 Conclusions

cpstestersofficial@gmail.com015 mins

GM Magnus Carlsen made it back-to-back victories as he claimed the $250,000 high prize within the 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris. We have a look again at an occasion that additionally featured good performances by teenage stars GMs Denis Lazavik and Sina Movahed, some desk slams and controversy, and content material we had no proper to count on from Carlsen and his pace chess arch-rival GM Hikaru Nakamura.  

  1. Magnus Reigned Supreme
  2. Lazavik Is Already A Speed Chess Star
  3. The Clash With St. Louis Was Unfortunate
  4. Firouzja’s Forfeit Was The Only Sour Note In Paris
  5. 16-Year-Old Sina Movahed Brought The Passion
  6. Chess Could Be Worth $2 Million
  7. We Didn’t Get Carlsen vs. Nakamura—Except Off The Board

1. Magnus Reigned Supreme

In 2025, Carlsen received all 5 matches he performed within the first ever Chess Esports World Cup in Riyadh, however he did lose some video games alongside the best way—two towards Nakamura within the Semifinals, and one towards GM Alireza Firouzja within the Closing. This time in Paris he once more received all 5 matches, however did not lose a single sport, overcoming GMs Andrey Esipenko (1.5-0.5), Hans Niemann (1.5-0.5), Nihal Sarin (2.5-0.5), Firouzja (4-1), and Lazavik (3-1 and 3-1).

One other yr, one other trophy. Picture: Esports World Cup.

The dominance hadn’t appeared a foregone conclusion when Carlsen survived a misplaced place within the second sport towards Esipenko and, clearly beneath the climate, commented: “I’m not in any form to play chess, however I managed to outlive the primary match, so hopefully I can survive another, after which we’ll see!”

When it was throughout, he advised his Staff Liquid:

My first match was a bit of bit shaky towards Esipenko, after which towards Niemann I felt I used to be roughly in a position to do precisely what I needed to do, after which I sort of recovered a bit of bit, I didn’t really feel as sick for the final two days. And I really feel that I used to be in a position to play at a really, superb stage within the final two matches, so I’m actually pleased with the whole lot, particularly the best way issues have been. I really feel like the whole lot just about went like a ten/10! 

Requested who or what may cease him, Carlsen commented, “I don’t know, I believe on this format it’s not straightforward in the mean time!” He pointed to Firouzja as having been the participant who got here closest, however regardless of some extremely intense video games, Carlsen received their Semifinal with two attracts after which a three-game successful streak.

The second Esports World Cup title was yet one more accomplishment so as to add to the world number-one’s record.

The brand new technology hasn’t taken over fairly but…

…however there are new stars showing.

2. Lazavik Is Already A Pace Chess Star

Denis Lazavik misplaced the primary match to Nakamura, however received the second. Picture: Esports World Cup.

19-year-old Lazavik had a rockier highway to the Closing, shedding a match to Nakamura on the primary day. He escaped a misplaced place solely to lose a very drawn one in a wild time scramble. 

The Belarusian grandmaster shrugged that off, nonetheless, hitting again to knock out GM Ian Nepomniachtchi, then GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov, then get revenge on Nakamura, earlier than lastly falling to Carlsen with no actual probabilities within the Closing.

Like Carlsen, Lazavik did not lose a sport within the Playoffs on the best way to the Closing.

That failure was relative, since Lazavik had picked up a probably life-changing $190,000.

Esports World Cup Closing Standings

Rank Participant Staff Prize Staff Factors
1 Magnus Carlsen Staff Liquid $250,000 1000
2 Denis Lazavik AG.AL Worldwide $190,000 750
3 Hikaru Nakamura Staff Falcons $145,000 500
4 Alireza Firouzja Staff Falcons $100,000 300*
5= Nihal Sarin S8UL Esports $72,500 200
Hans Niemann GodLike Esports $72,500 200
Nodirbek Abdusattorov Natus Vincere (NAVI) $72,500 200
Arjun Erigaisi Gen.G Esports $72,500 200
9= Jan-Krzysztof Duda Weibo Gaming $52,500
Ian Nepomniachtchi Aurora Gaming $52,500
Sina Movahed Staff Stallions $52,500
Pranesh Munirethinam S8UL Esports $52,500
13= Alexey Sarana Fnatic $40,000
Andrey Esipenko Virtus.professional $40,000
Benjamin Bok Staff MGD1 $40,000
Wei Yi Staff Nemesis $40,000
17 Vladislav Artemiev Staff Spirit $32,000
18 Parham Maghsoodloo $27,000
19= Alexander Grischuk $25,000
Oleksandr Bortnyk $25,000
21= Aravindh Chithambaram S8UL Esports $23,000
Liem Le Staff Flash $23,000

*solely the top-scoring member of a workforce counts for the general standings

Lazavik’s success, nonetheless, was hardly a shock. Carlsen commented on his reaching the ultimate: “I believe by this level anybody who underestimates him is in for a bit of little bit of a shock, so he’s earned his proper to be right here and it’s actually no accident.”

I believe by this level anybody who underestimates him is in for a bit of little bit of a shock.

—Magnus Carlsen on Denis Lazavik

Lazavik reached the eight-player Finals of the 2023 Champions Chess Tour, and most notably this yr performed within the four-player Speed Chess Finals in Paris, which had a well-known lineup.

Again then Carlsen beat Lazavik within the Semifinals, whereas Lazavik edged out Nakamura within the match for third place, whereas this time these matches happened in reverse order, however with the identical outcomes.

The one factor Lazavik should have to work on is his key crushing. As an alternative of crushing Nepomniachtchi’s key he noticed an inviting hole and went for it—placing his defeated opponent’s key within the winner’s trophy! 

3. The Conflict With St. Louis Was Unlucky

The one controversy within the run-up to the occasion was that it clashed immediately with the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis. Seven of the world’s high gamers published an open letter in February asking for the Esports World Cup and the Grand Chess Tour to work collectively to try to keep away from the conflict.

Ultimately, nonetheless, neither aspect was in a position to change the dates, with the vast majority of gamers deciding to honor a earlier contract with the Grand Chess Tour. That meant GM Levon Aronian (a quarterfinalist in 2025), GMs Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Anish Giri, and Fabiano Caruana (all within the Final 16 in 2025), and GMs Wesley So, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Vincent Keymer, and Javokhir Sindarov have been among the many gamers to overlook out.

Wesley So beat Praggnanandhaa in tiebreaks to win the 2026 Sinquefield Cup, whereas they will now each play alongside Fabiano Caruana and Vincent Keymer within the GCT Finals. Picture: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour.

Firouzja, the runner-up in 2025, was the one who opted for the Esports World Cup as a substitute. In line with the Grand Chess Tour, he cited, “a scheduling battle and his need, as France’s top-ranked participant, to signify France in one other competitors.”

The choice got here with contractual penalties, however Firouzja did get to the ultimate day in Paris, ultimately taking the $100,000 prize for fourth place. 

4. Firouzja’s Forfeit Was The Solely Bitter Word In Paris

That wasn’t what Firouzja was going for, in fact, and he gave Carlsen an actual combat within the Semifinals earlier than his time administration finally doomed him to defeat.

The third-place conflict towards Nakamura was a lot much less vital, however the best-of-six match nonetheless had a $45,000 distinction in prize cash at stake.

Teammates Nakamura and Firouzja battled it out for third place. Picture: Esports World Cup.

When Nakamura sacrificed a rook to take the lead in sport two it was already tough for Firouzja, however the whole lot fell aside for the 23-year-old in sport three, when web points within the venue noticed the sport interrupted, earlier than Nakamura took over and clinched a win that put him two factors forward with solely two video games to go. It was a mountain to climb, however removed from exterior the bounds of risk for the Frenchman.

Firouzja left the stage, nonetheless, and a tense 20-minute wait adopted, throughout which neither chess followers nor Nakamura knew what was occurring. When the announcement got here, it was that Firouzja would not return—the fifth sport was given as a forfeit win for Nakamura.   

Some handled it as a difficulty with on-line chess and requested why the gamers weren’t competing on chessboards in Paris, however—other than it needing to be an esport!—among the causes have been introduced up many instances earlier than. If the gamers have been competing in 10+0 chess with wood items we’d be assured chaotic finishes needing VAR-like interventions to resolve who had toppled items first or did not hit the clock earlier than fixing the board.

Whether or not Firouzja was fined for his non-appearance (the rules point out potential penalty factors for gamers, every costing one % of their winnings), it was a disappointing end to the match. We need to see the whole lot determined over the board.

5. 16-12 months-Outdated Sina Movahed Introduced The Ardour

Sina Movahed ultimately fell to Hans Niemann, however solely after an enormous combat. Picture: Esports World Cup.

Whereas Lazavik put in a superb efficiency, it was one other teenager who was maybe the break-out star of the event. “Seen-a-move-ahead” is already an internet legend, having won individual Titled Tuesdays, topped the Spring standings this yr, and claimed the ChessKid Under 16 Youth Championship in a ultimate the place he defeated the junior number-one GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. We have hardly ever seen Movahed in individual, nonetheless, whereas in Paris the 16-year-old Iranian was each nice enjoyable on the board and eloquent off it. 

Nearly all his video games and matches appeared to be wild. He hit again and compelled armageddon earlier than shedding to Lazavik, traded wins earlier than beating GM Alexey Sarana in armageddon, then got here extremely near forcing a 3rd armageddon, towards Niemann. Movahed was completely successful, however in a chaotic time scramble he let the win slip away, and did not conceal his frustration.

Niemann had that impact on his opponents, with Nepomniachtchi giving probably the most dramatic response of the occasion when he appeared to mouse-slip, although able the place he’d already blundered on the board, in order that the supposed transfer would not have helped.

We are able to count on to see loads of Movahed sooner or later.

6. Chess Might Be Value $2 Million

When Carlsen received 1,000 factors in 2025, Staff Liquid, represented by himself and Caruana, took the lead within the total membership championship. Ultimately, nonetheless, Staff Falcons, who obtained 750 factors for Firouzja’s second-place end, topped the desk to earn $7 million to Liquid’s $4 million.

Comparable stakes are at play this yr, with the successful workforce getting $7 million, and the runner-up $5 million, however issues are very completely different. Staff Liquid hasn’t been aggressive, with Carlsen’s 1,000 factors offering two-thirds of their 1,500 complete, which leaves them in eleventh place on the 2026 standings. The highest, nonetheless, has been closely influenced by chess.

Esports World Cup 2026 Membership Standings Earlier than Closing Weekend

When Lazavik completed runner-up for 750 factors his AG.AL was high, however Staff Falcons scored 500 factors—which it will have scored no matter who received the third-place match between its two gamers, Nakamura and Firouzja. That is been essential, as Falcons presently leads by 300 factors. Chess could be very a lot a part of the Esports World Cup battle.

In two years, chess has already turn out to be essential to the Esports World Cup. Picture: Will Whalen/Chess.com.

7. We Didn’t Get Carlsen vs. Nakamura—Besides Off The Board

If there was one huge matchup we needed to see however did not, it was between Carlsen and Nakamura, who performed an exciting Semifinal in 2025. This yr they might have met within the Closing, however Lazavik intervened. We did, nonetheless, get extra content material involving the 2 than we may ever have anticipated.

The primary spotlight was a lie-detector episode that includes the 2 nice rivals. Nakamura was requested if he thought-about Carlsen a pal, with the U.S. grandmaster responding (in truth, says the tech): “Now I might say sure. The primary 75 % of my profession, the reply can be one hundred pc no!” 

What’s apparent is the massive mutual respect. Carlsen says “completely” when requested if Nakamura is his biggest rival in blitz, is flagged as mendacity when he says Caruana is a greater participant than Nakamura, and expands on Nakamura’s biggest strengths: “Understanding of constructions. I really feel what units you aside probably the most after I see you play individuals, particularly when that’s not me, is discovering the proper constructions and maneuvering. There’s no contest to individuals like Fabiano, for example.”

It is not that it is all mutual love. Each have fun one another’s losses, with Carlsen commenting: “Yeah, many instances! It’s extra of a stream hate watch sort of factor. That’s been many instances, and my spouse, after we first met, was a bit mad that I might watch your streams!” 

My spouse, after we first met, was a bit mad that I might watch your streams!

—Magnus Carlsen on Hikaru Nakamura

Carlsen says he is not stunned however thinks others shall be when Nakamura (seemingly) in truth responds, “No,” to the query, “Would you commerce your streaming profession for my chess profession?”

Batman and the Joker by no means met ultimately. Picture: Esports World Cup.

Probably the most exceptional reply, nonetheless, is probably to the query of whether or not Carlsen holds a grudge towards Nakamura, to which the five-time classical world champion shortly responds: “The Norway blitz event again in 2009—that actually harm me, the pawn race!”

Carlsen was fully successful within the second sport of the ultimate of the BNbank Blitz 2009 and would have taken a 2-0 lead in a four-game match, however blundered and misplaced that sport after which the match.

18-year-old Carlsen did not conceal his frustration when he realized he was misplaced.

Let’s hope the Esports World Cup creates some grudges that also resonate 17 years later! 

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