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.

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.

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.