Magnus Carlsen continued his reign in elite chess by securing the Esports World Cup 2025 title in Riyadh with a crushing win over Alireza Firouzja.
The Norwegian legend dominated the final with four wins, two draws, and just one loss across two sets.
Carlsen opened the match with sharp tactics, scoring a win and two draws to take a commanding 3-1 lead. Firouzja’s only bright moment came when Carlsen blundered a rook after 50 moves, resulting in a win for the French Grandmaster. However, Carlsen bounced back with precision, exploiting time pressure and positional errors to seal the next two games. A passive opening from Firouzja in the final set was punished ruthlessly, as Carlsen wrapped up the series in style.
This victory further cements Carlsen’s dominance in both classical and esports arenas, showcasing his adaptability and competitive edge.
