Magnus Carlsen’s Chess Esports victory at the 2025 Esports World Cup earns Team Liquid their first Club Championship title.
Riyad: Magnus Carlsen’s Chess Esports victory at the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) has crowned him champion of the inaugural chess event and delivered Team Liquid their first Club Championship title. Facing Team Falcons’ Alireza Firouzja in Riyadh, Carlsen showcased clinical form to take a commanding 2–0 series win.
Entering as the favourite, Carlsen wasted no time asserting dominance. He claimed both sets 3–1 in a masterclass of clock control and strategic execution. Firouzja had flashes of brilliance, but the Norwegian grandmaster proved untouchable throughout, reinforcing his position as world number one.
Carlsen, who recently won the 2025 Champions Chess Tour, a record-setting seventh Norway Chess title, and the Grenke Freestyle Open with a perfect 9/9, now adds an EWC gold to his stellar year.
“I am very happy, a little bit relieved as well,” said Carlsen post-match. “There was a point in the second set where I felt I let him back in the match for no reason… It’s just been a joy. I hope this is a big part of the future of chess.”
His triumph secured 1,000 Club Championship points for Team Liquid, pushing them to the top of the EWC 2025 leaderboard, 50 points clear of runners-up Team Falcons. Team Vitality sits in third, while Gen.G drops to fourth after losing the third-place match earlier in the day.
Carlsen’s remarks also reflected on the broader spectacle: “It’s been an amazing show… I’m really thankful to EWC for believing in chess.”
With global reach and high-stakes rivalries, Chess Esports Victory at EWC 2025 not only elevates Carlsen’s legacy but also marks a milestone moment for chess in competitive gaming.
