Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Carlsen defends Esports World Cup crown undefeated in Paris
Magnus Carlsen is one of the best chess players in the world.
He played in a big chess contest called the Esports World Cup in Paris.
Many amazing chess players joined, including a young player named Denis Lazavik from Belarus.
Carlsen played many games and did not lose a single one.
In the final, he beat Denis Lazavik twice, with scores of 3-1 each time.
Before the final, he beat Nihal Sarin and then Alireza Firouzja.
Carlsen said he watched Denis's games and was careful not to make risky moves.
He said there were some scary moments, but he stayed calm and won.
This is his second Esports World Cup trophy in a row.
Some strong Indian players were knocked out before the final.
Magnus Carlsen won the 2026 Esports World Cup chess tournament in Paris, beating 19-year-old Belarusian grandmaster Denis Lazavik 3-1 in both sets of the final.
Carlsen, playing for Team Liquid, went undefeated throughout the event, without losing a single game in the group stage or playoffs.
The five-time world champion beat Indian grandmaster Nihal Sarin 2.5-0.5 and Iranian-French grandmaster Alireza Firouzja 4-1 in the semifinals.
Carlsen said he studied Lazavik's games and talked to coaches, concluding that Hikaru Nakamura's approach was not right, and avoided risky play that had punished him in past online matches.
Hikaru Nakamura beat Alireza Firouzja 3-1 in the third-place match, while Indian players Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin were both eliminated in the quarterfinals.
- Who
- Magnus Carlsen, five-time world chess champion playing for Team Liquid, and 19-year-old Belarusian grandmaster Denis Lazavik of AG AL, the runner-up.
- What
- Carlsen won the chess event at the 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris, defeating Lazavik 3-1 in each of two sets in the final without losing a single game.
- When
- Saturday, August 15, 2026.
- Where
- Paris.
- Why
- Carlsen prepared carefully, studying Lazavik's games and coaches' advice, and avoided the risky play that had cost him in past online matches against Lazavik.
- Event
- 2026 Esports World Cup chess tournament (EWC 2026)
- Winner
- Magnus Carlsen (Team Liquid)
- Runner-up
- Denis Lazavik (AG AL)
- Final result
- 3-1 and 3-1 across two sets
- Location
- Paris
- Date
- August 15, 2026
- Carlsen's record
- Undefeated in group stage and playoffs
- Third place
- Hikaru Nakamura, who beat Alireza Firouzja 3-1
