**Carlsen's win at the EWC marks a significant milestone for chess as it gains recognition in the esports community, showcasing the evolution of traditional sports in modern entertainment.**
**Magnus Carlsen Triumphs in First Online Chess Event at Esports World Cup**
**Magnus Carlsen Triumphs in First Online Chess Event at Esports World Cup**
**Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen claims victory and a $250,000 prize at the inaugural Esports World Cup competition in Riyadh.**
The 34-year-old Norwegian chess grandmaster, Magnus Carlsen, has emerged victorious in the first-ever online chess tournament hosted by the Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He will receive a prize of $250,000 (approximately £188,000) for his achievement. This year's tournament, featuring multiple disciplines in competitive gaming, has sparked some debate regarding the inclusion of chess, yet organizers defend its status as an esport given its widespread appeal across different demographics.
This marks the second installment of the EWC, boasting an impressive total prize pool of around $70 million (£50 million). Over the course of seven weeks, participants from around the globe compete in 25 popular games, including well-known titles such as Call of Duty, Street Fighter, and League of Legends. The organizers assert that chess’s participation is a landmark event, commemorating 139 years since the inauguration of the first World Chess Champion.
During the Esports World Cup, players duel from computer setups on stage in front of a live audience, equipped with heart-rate monitors to further emulate traditional sports environments. The attraction includes large screens, major sponsorships, and professional commentators. A field of elite grandmasters competed, with Carlsen ultimately defeating the eighth-ranked Alireza Firouzja to clinch the title.
Carlsen's interaction with the evolving landscape of chess is noteworthy; he previously announced his return to major tournaments after the sport's governing body modified its dress code following a dispute regarding his casual attire. "It's been an amazing show, unlike anything I've seen so far," Carlsen expressed after receiving the EWC trophy, a gold-colored plate. He hopes that events like these will significantly shape the future of chess, aspiring to take it to even larger audiences in the future.
This marks the second installment of the EWC, boasting an impressive total prize pool of around $70 million (£50 million). Over the course of seven weeks, participants from around the globe compete in 25 popular games, including well-known titles such as Call of Duty, Street Fighter, and League of Legends. The organizers assert that chess’s participation is a landmark event, commemorating 139 years since the inauguration of the first World Chess Champion.
During the Esports World Cup, players duel from computer setups on stage in front of a live audience, equipped with heart-rate monitors to further emulate traditional sports environments. The attraction includes large screens, major sponsorships, and professional commentators. A field of elite grandmasters competed, with Carlsen ultimately defeating the eighth-ranked Alireza Firouzja to clinch the title.
Carlsen's interaction with the evolving landscape of chess is noteworthy; he previously announced his return to major tournaments after the sport's governing body modified its dress code following a dispute regarding his casual attire. "It's been an amazing show, unlike anything I've seen so far," Carlsen expressed after receiving the EWC trophy, a gold-colored plate. He hopes that events like these will significantly shape the future of chess, aspiring to take it to even larger audiences in the future.
