In brief
Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has claimed victory at the first-ever online chess competition held as part of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The accomplished player, who is currently ranked number one in the world, will receive a $250,000 prize for his win. The inclusion of chess in this major esports event, which boasts a whopping $70 million prize pool, marks a significant step for the game, bridging the traditional with the digital.
The EWC, now in its second edition, features teams from around the globe competing in 25 celebrated games, among them League of Legends, Call of Duty, and Street Fighter. The event has seen chess reach its latest milestone, over a century after the first World Chess Champion was named. Participants, including several grandmasters, play from the stage in front of a live audience, with heart-rate monitors adding a layer of thrill reminiscent of athletic sports. Carlsen's journey in the tournament took him through a group stage to the playoffs, culminating in a nail-biting match against number eight-ranked player Alireza Firouzja, where his skill propelled him to victory. Demonstrating his forward-thinking approach to chess, Carlsen has been vocal about modernizing the game; last year, he made headlines when he left a championship over a dress code dispute regarding jeans. "This has been an incredible event, unlike anything I have experienced before," Carlsen remarked after lifting the trophy. With this successful integration of chess into esports, he expressed hope for its growth within this innovative medium. "Perhaps we can take it to even greater stages in the future," he mused, as the event was met with enthusiasm from the audience and participants alike.
