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This time, Magnus Carlsen has succeeded in the digital arena. With a convincing victory over Alireza Firouzja in Riyadh, the Norwegian grandmaster won the first Chess Esports World Cup title. He took home the $250,000 top prize and significantly improved Team Liquid’s position in the overall Club Championship rankings.

Carlsen won the final 2-0 in two hard-fought sets with speed, accuracy, and the kind of nerves that only a chess legend can muster. Let’s break it down, game by game.

Image Credit: Chess.com

Game 1: A tactical bomb – Magnus Carlsen Won

Carlsen struck first in dramatic fashion, flipping a quiet position on its head with the stunning 22.Nb8!! A blow that left Firouzja reeling. It wasn’t just a good move, it was the kind of play that makes highlight reels.

Game 2: Clock pressure keeps Firouzja in check – Draw

Though Firouzja reached a promising rook endgame, Carlsen’s massive time advantage forced a draw. A missed opportunity? Maybe. But Carlsen showed he wasn’t about to push unnecessarily.

Game 3: Firouzja almost bites back – Draw

This was the closest Firouzja came to outplaying the world champ. A short-lived edge disappeared under time pressure, and the game ended in another draw. Carlsen later admitted he was briefly in trouble, but the clock played in his favour.

Game 4: Checkmate and a statement – Magnus Carlsen Won

Any hope for Firouzja to recover was squashed. Carlsen built up a crushing position and delivered the only checkmate of the set. Game over. Literally and figuratively.

 

Game 5: Firouzja finds a spark – Alireza Firouzja Won

After the reset, Firouzja took his shot. He capitalised on a rare Carlsen blunder (dropping a rook) and converted confidently with just seven seconds left on the clock. The comeback was on, at least for a moment.

Game 6: Carlsen strikes back – Magnus Carlsen Won

Carlsen wasn’t fazed. He built a slight advantage, kept a big lead on the clock, and this time didn’t hesitate to win on time. Momentum swung right back.

Game 7: Firouzja collapses under pressure – Magnus Carlsen Won

Looking rattled, Firouzja walked into a nasty knight fork that sealed his fate. He’d have to win on demand in Game 8 with Black, a tall task against the world’s best.

Game 8: One slip, and it’s over –Magnus Carlsen Won

Carlsen played smart, confident chess and baited an error. After 24…e6?, the writing was on the wall. A smooth rook shuffle later, Carlsen closed it out and claimed the championship.

“I’ve shot one Falcon, I want to shoot one more”

Carlsen’s win wasn’t just about the games, it was personal. After beating Falcons’ Hikaru Nakamura in the semis, he came into the final looking for a clean sweep. And he got it.

“I’ve got my bow and arrow ready,” he joked. “I’ve shot one Falcon, I want to shoot one more.”

With two Falcons down, Carlsen delivered big for Team Liquid. His win also earned the squad 1,000 points in the Club Championship, putting them ahead of the pack, at least for now.

Esports World Cup Day 3: Carlsen Silences Crowd To Beat Nakamura - Chess.com

Image Credit: Esports World Cup

Nakamura claims third, Arjun fourth

Earlier in the day, Nakamura edged Arjun Erigaisi in a tense six-game battle for third. After dropping Game 1, Hikaru bounced back, eventually winning the final match on time, old-school style. He takes home $145,000, while Arjun grabs $115,000 and 300 Club points for Gen.G.