Grandmaster Carlsen wins first chess tournament hosted within Esport World Cup

Top-ranked grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has claimed victory in the first-ever online chess tournament hosted within the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Saudi Arabia, one of the largest multi-game events in professional competitive gaming.

The 34-year-old Norwegian secured a $250,000 prize for his win in Riyadh over world number eight Alireza Firouzja to secure the title, as reported by the organizers. It was the same Iranian-French chess grandmaster who at the age of 18 beat Carlsen’s record as the youngest person to surpass a FIDE rating of 2800.

Chess's inclusion in this year’s lineup sparked debate, but organizers defended the decision by highlighting its vast global player base and digital accessibility.

Now in its second year, the EWC boasts a total prize pool of roughly $70 million, making it one of the most lucrative tournaments in esports, the world of video game competitions.

Over seven weeks, teams from across the globe face off in 25 popular video games, including Call of Duty, League of Legends, and Street Fighter.

The EWC called the addition of chess a “new milestone” for the game, marking 139 years since the first official World Chess Champion was named.

Numerous grandmasters participated in this year's online contest, progressing from group stages to knockout rounds before the final showdown.

Carlsen has long embraced innovation in the sport. Last year, he announced his return to elite competition after the chess federation agreed to ease dress code rules.

He had previously withdrawn from the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in New York — where he was the defending champion — after being told he couldn’t compete while wearing jeans.

By Nazrin Sadigova