Magnus Carlsen Triumphs at Esports World Cup Chess Competition

The 34-year-old Norwegian's victory marks a significant milestone for chess in the esports arena, despite some controversy over its inclusion in the tournament lineup.

Magnus Carlsen, the reigning chess grandmaster and world champion, has made headlines yet again by winning the inaugural online chess competition at the Esports World Cup (EWC) held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Carlsen, 34, emerged victorious and took home a prize of $250,000 (approximately £188,000) for his remarkable performance.

The EWC is recognized as one of the largest multi-discipline tournaments within the competitive gaming scene, featuring a lineup that spans diverse genres, including titles like Call of Duty, Street Fighter, and League of Legends. This edition of the EWC also stirred some debate by including chess—a game played by millions across the world—arguing that it undeniably fits the definition of an esport.

In total, the tournament boasts a jaw-dropping prize pool of around $70 million (£50 million) and has teams vying for supremacy over seven weeks across 25 different games. Notably, the inclusion of chess this year is seen as a breakthrough opportunity for the game, coinciding with the 139th anniversary of the crowning of the first World Chess Champion.

At the event, competitors engage in intense online matches from a staged setting equipped with cutting-edge technology, complete with large screens and live commentary, further blurring the lines between traditional sports and esports. Carlsen dominated the competition, ultimately defeating the eighth-ranked Alireza Firouzja to claim the title.

Carlsen has been a proponent of modernizing chess, emphasizing its relevance in contemporary gaming. Following an incident last year where he exited a major chess tournament over a dress code dispute regarding jeans, he was pleased with the EWC’s format. “It’s been an amazing show, unlike anything that I’ve seen so far,” Carlsen remarked after receiving the gold-plated trophy. “I really hope that this is a big part of the future for chess. Maybe we can get on a bigger stage next time.”