Magnus Carlsen Triumphs at Esports World Cup Chess Event

In a historic moment for the world of chess, Magnus Carlsen emerged as the champion of the inaugural online chess competition at the Esports World Cup, earning a lucrative $250,000 prize.

The Esports World Cup (EWC), currently taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has made waves in the professional gaming community, and its decision to include chess for the first time has sparked significant debate. Organizers justified the inclusion by highlighting that chess is played competitively by millions worldwide, solidifying its status as an esport.

The event marks the second edition of the EWC, boasting an impressive prize pool of approximately $70 million. Over the course of seven weeks, diverse teams from all corners of the globe compete in 25 well-loved games like Call of Duty, Street Fighter, and League of Legends. The EWC has proclaimed the incorporation of chess a major milestone, coinciding with the 139th anniversary of the crowning of the first World Chess Champion.

At the Esports World Cup, players compete from computer stations on stage before a live audience, equipped with heart-rate monitors to add to the tension of the competition. The format mirrored that of traditional sports, with massive screens, prominent sponsors, and expert commentators enhancing the viewing experience. Carlsen bested Alireza Firouzja, the eighth-ranked player globally, to seize the championship title.

Carlsen has a track record of modernizing chess, famously returning to competition after the governing body relaxed its dress code, highlighting a dispute over his casual attire at the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York.

Reflecting on his win, Carlsen remarked, "It's been an amazing show, unlike anything that I've seen so far," and expressed hope for the game's exciting future within esports. "Maybe we can get on a bigger stage next time," he mused, emphasizing the popularity this year’s chess event garnered at the tournament.