Carlsen claims first Esports World Cup chess title

RIYADH (Agencies): Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen won the inaugural Esports World Cup chess tournament on Friday, defeating Alireza Firouzja in Riyadh. World number one Carlsen claimed the $250,000 top prize and saw his Team Liquid sneak ahead in the overall championship after his win over Firouzja. The prize pool of the tournament was $1.5 million. “It’s been an amazing show, unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” Carlsen said just before lifting the trophy on stage, with pyrotechnics lighting up behind him. The inclusion of the centuries-old board game in the esports tournament comes after it experienced a significant revival during the pandemic.