2 weeks ago
Carlsen Defends Esports World Cup Chess Title in Paris
A chess champion named Magnus Carlsen won a big chess tournament in Paris called the Esports World Cup.
This was the second time in a row he has won this tournament.
Magnus was not feeling well — he had a fever and was very tired during the event.
Even though he felt sick, he did not lose a single chess game the whole time.
In the final match, he played against Denis Lazavik and won.
Magnus says chess is becoming faster and more fun, like other esports video games.
He thinks chess and esports work really well together.
Some other players, like Hikaru Nakamura, do not like the new format.
But Magnus thinks the format works well and does not want big changes.
He believes fast, exciting chess is the future of the game.
Magnus Carlsen successfully defended his Esports World Cup title in Paris, going unbeaten in the group stage and playoffs.
He defeated Denis Lazavik in a one-sided final while battling fever and physical exhaustion throughout the event.
Carlsen called the relationship between chess and esports a 'happy marriage' and said the format 'is here to stay.'
He credited careful, conservative strategy plus some luck for not losing a single game in the tournament.
Responding to Hikaru Nakamura's dislike of the format, Carlsen said it works pretty well and he will not advocate for major changes.
- Who
- Magnus Carlsen, the world number one, who beat Denis Lazavik in the final; Hikaru Nakamura is also mentioned as a critic of the format.
- What
- Carlsen defended his Esports World Cup chess title, winning the tournament without losing a single game.
- Where
- Paris, France.
- When
- During the Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC 2026).
- Why
- Carlsen was determined to retain the title, saying it was something he had wanted for a long time, and he strategised conservatively, playing only positions he was comfortable with even while unwell.
Format critics
Format supporters
EWC chess format
Format critics
Hikaru Nakamura says he hates the format and wants changes.
Format supporters
Magnus Carlsen says the format works pretty well, is fair for players, and he won't advocate for major changes.
Key facts
- Champion
- Magnus Carlsen
- Event
- Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026
- Location
- Paris, France
- Final opponent
- Denis Lazavik
- Tournament record
- No losses in group stage or playoffs
- Title defense
- Second consecutive Esports World Cup title
- Health during event
- Battled fever and physical exhaustion
- Format stance
- Called chess-esports a 'happy marriage' and said the format works well
Quotes
Magnus Carlsen
World chess champion and Esports World Cup winner
“"I think this is just a little bit different, and I think we should embrace that… this is not kind of traditional chess, but this is chess as an Esport with all that brings. We’ve done a really good job here in the last two years of doing that with chess. So definitely hope to see more of that in the future, and I think it’s here to stay."”
indianexpress.com
“"I managed to pull through… I really needed the day off on Thursday, and that’s kind of the day where I felt the worst as well. And then throughout Friday I started feeling a bit better, and then I started thinking, you know what, I could maybe actually do this."”
indianexpress.com









