Chess Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen Triumphs at Esports World Cup

The historic win by Carlsen marks a significant milestone for chess as it gains recognition in the Esports arena.

In a groundbreaking event for competitive gaming, world's top-ranked chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has clinched victory at the first-ever online chess tournament hosted during the Esports World Cup (EWC). The Norwegian prodigy, 34, will be rewarded with a hefty prize of $250,000 (approximately £188,000) for his achievement. The EWC, currently taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is recognized as one of the largest multi-discipline events in the esports landscape, and the inclusion of chess this year stirred debate. However, the event's organizers maintained that chess qualifies as an esport, given its global popularity and appeal to various age groups.

This marks the second edition of the EWC, which boasts an impressive total prize pool of around $70 million (£50 million). Over a span of seven weeks, competitors from various regions face off across 25 popular games, including titles such as Call of Duty, Street Fighter, and League of Legends. The EWC's move to showcase chess has been deemed a monumental step for the game, especially as it emerges 139 years after the first official World Chess Champion was recognized.

Competitors at the Esports World Cup engage in matches from their computers on stage in front of a live audience, equipped with heart-rate monitors to intensify the experience. In a setting akin to traditional sports, large screens display gameplay, while top sponsors and commentators enhance the atmosphere. In the online tournament format, several grandmasters participated, progressing through an initial group stage before the highest-ranked players advanced to the playoffs, culminating in Carlsen’s face-off against eighth-ranked Alireza Firouzja in the final round.

Carlsen's endorsement of modernizing chess is well-documented; he made headlines last year when he resolved a dress code dispute with officials, allowing him to compete in jeans at significant events. "It’s been an amazing show, unlike anything I've seen before," Carlsen shared after earning the coveted gold-plated trophy at the EWC. He expressed hope that this event would pave the way for the future of chess, suggesting, "Maybe we can get on a bigger stage next time," reflecting on the enthusiasm it garnered during the tournament.