Dominant Victory in Riyadh Final
Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen made history by clinching the inaugural chess title at the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), defeating fellow grandmaster Alireza Firouzja in a highly anticipated final held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Representing Team Liquid, Carlsen delivered a flawless performance against Firouzja of Team Falcons, winning the match decisively with a 2-0 sweep. Carlsen was widely regarded as the tournament favorite, and his dominant display reaffirmed his standing as one of the greatest chess players of the modern era.
Commanding Performance Throughout the Match
In the opening set, Carlsen took a strong lead with a 3-1 score. He replicated that result in the second set, once again winning 3-1, sealing the match with a clean and convincing victory. His composure and relentless strategy throughout the final highlighted his enduring skill and competitive edge.
This win not only marked Team Liquid’s first championship at the Esports World Cup but also added another major achievement to Carlsen’s outstanding year in competitive chess.
A Stellar 2025 for Carlsen
Carlsen’s EWC title is the latest addition to an already remarkable 2025. Earlier this year, he claimed the Champions Chess Tour title hosted by Chess.com, won Norway Chess for the seventh time, and went undefeated at the Grenke Chess Freestyle Open 2025 — securing nine wins in nine games.
A Legacy That Continues to Grow
Born on November 30, 1990, in Tønsberg, Norway, Sven Magnus Øen Carlsen began playing chess at the age of five and became a Grandmaster by 13, one of the youngest ever to do so. His flexible style and deep positional understanding propelled him to the top of the global rankings.
In 2010, Carlsen became the youngest player to reach the world number one ranking. He captured the World Chess Championship title in 2013 and held it through 2023. Notably, he is the only player in history to have held world titles in classical, rapid, and blitz formats simultaneously. At his peak, Carlsen achieved the highest FIDE rating ever recorded — 2882.
A Shift Toward Esports Without Slowing Down
Although Carlsen stepped back from the classical world championship circuit, he has remained an active and dominant force in the chess world, especially through online and esports competitions. His triumph on August 1, 2025, at the Esports World Cup — where he defeated Firouzja 2-0 in the final — solidified his place in history as the first EWC Chess Champion and earned him the tournament’s top prize of $250,000.
