Esports World Cup 2025: Carlsen crowned champion as Erigaisi finishes fourth after defeat against Nakamura

Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi’s campaign ended with back-to-back defeats as Magnus Carlsen was crowned champion on chess’ debut at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh on Friday. After storming into the semi-finals with a hat-trick of victories, including against compatriot Nihal Sarin, Erigaisi was halted on his tracks by French GM Alireza Firouzja, who handed him a 4-1 defeat to advance to the final.

On Friday, Erigaisi – representing Gen.G – suffered a second defeat in as many games to finish fourth on chess’ debut at the Esports World Cup, suffering a 2.5-3.5 loss at the hands of world No 2 Hikaru Nakamura. This despite the 21-year-old Indian winning Game 1 with white pieces and holding the American GM to a draw in the second.

Nakamura would surge ahead by winning the next two games, which was followed by Erigaisi leveling the scores at 2.5-2.5, collecting another victory with white pieces. Nakamura, however, won the decisive game to clinch the contest and finish third on the overall standings.

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𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐄𝐖𝐂 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Arjun Erigaisi finishes in 4th Place! ♟️🏅 This concludes Gen.G's debut in CHESS at the EWC. We want to extend our deepest gratitude to all our fans for following along and supporting us throughout this week, with a special shoutout to those… pic.twitter.com/OGI90uMnXl

— Gen.G Esports (@GenG) August 1, 2025

Carlsen stamps his authority in Riyadh

Team Falcons thus had two players finishing among the top three – Firouzja and Nakamura at the second and third positions respectively.

Team Liquid’s Magnus Carlsen, who has been the Classical world No 1 since 2011 and is also a five-time world champion, was crowned the inaugural chess champion at the Esports World Cup after winning both sets in the best-of-three-sets final against Firouzja by 3-1 margins.

HOLD IT HIGH 🏆 @MagnusCarlsen pic.twitter.com/YHqKaWAot5

— EWC Extra (@EWC_Extra) August 1, 2025

Carlsen thus takes home a prize money of $250,000 (Rs 2.18 crore) while Firouzja and Nakamura won $190,000 (Rs 1.65 crore) and $145,000 (Rs 1.26 crore) respectively. Erigaisi took home $115,000 which is just over Rs 1 crore.

Sarin, who had represented Indian Esports organisation S8UL after confirming his place via the Last Chance Qualifier, finished in the 5th-8th bracket after his quarter-final defeat against Carlsen. He wins $85,000 (Rs 74 lakh) for his efforts.