World number-one Magnus Carlsen is the first ever Chess Esports World Cup Champion after winning the final three games to beat GM Alireza Firouzja in the Grand Final. Carlsen took the $250,000 top prize and saw his Team Liquid sneak ahead in the overall championship. GM Hikaru Nakamura overcame GM Arjun Erigaisi 3.5-2.5 to take third place in a thrilling match where all but one of the six games were decisive.
This is a flash report—come back later for players quotes and analysis!
Final Chess Esports World Cup Standings
Esports World Cup Club Standings After Chess
The Grand Final was best of three sets, but Carlsen clinched victory 2-0 after scoring 3-1 in both of the first two sets. His win in the final game of the first, where he ended by delivering checkmate, is our Game of the Day, which will be analyzed by GM Dejan Bojkov below.
Firouzja looked like he might pull off a comeback after a dramatic twist in the first game of the second set, but Carlsen stormed back to win the remaining three games and clinch the title.
The final moments as @MagnusCarlsen wins the 2025 #EsportsWorldCup! pic.twitter.com/kyQH37vxgS
— chess24 (@chess24com) August 1, 2025
Magnus Carlsen lifts the #EsportsWorldCup trophy! pic.twitter.com/oq5U16w3mb
— chess24 (@chess24com) August 1, 2025
New ground conquered, it’s been an absolute thrill and joy from start to finish @EWC_EN @TeamLiquid pic.twitter.com/k2cckkdAIS
— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) August 1, 2025
This is a flash report—come back later for players quotes and analysis!
How to rewatch?
The 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featured chess for the first time, with a $1.5 million prize fund and $250,000 for first place, while chess players are also part of esports teams that share a $27 million prize fund. Twelve players qualified for the main event via the Champions Chess Tour, while four qualified in the Last Chance Qualifier (July 24-26) in Riyadh. The main event (July 29-August 1) was first split into four groups of four players. Half of the players were eliminated before the top eight competed in a knockout Playoff for the top prizes. The time control for all games was 10 minutes, with no increment.
Previous coverage:
- Finals Day 3: Carlsen Silences Crowd To Beat Nakamura, Books Esports Final Vs. Firouzja
- Finals Day 2: Abdusattorov Wins On Move 5 After Duda’s $20,000 Mouse Slip
- Finals Day 1: Carlsen, Firouzja, Aronian, Arjun Reach Quarterfinals
- LCQ Day 3: Giri, Aronian, Nihal, Sindarov Grab Final Spots In Esports World Cup
- LCQ Day 2: Praggnanandhaa, Niemann Win Groups To Reach Playoffs
- LCQ Day 1: Aronian Survives Group Of Death As Chess Joins Esports World Cup
- Praggnanandhaa Leads Star-Studded Field For Last Chance Qualifier In Riyadh
- Carlsen Wins Grand Final With Game To Spare
- Carlsen Beats Nakamura In Grand Final, Wins 2025 Chessable Masters
- Chess Makes Historic Debut At Esports World Cup 2025 With $1.5 Million Prize Pool
