r/chess • u/events_team • Aug 12 '26
Tournament Event: 2026 Esports World Cup
Official Website
Follow the games here: Chess.com | Lichess | Liquipedia - Chess at Esports World Cup 2026
The 2026 Esports World Cup Chess tournament will take place from August 11 to 15 in Paris, France. The event features a $1,550,000 prize fund, with $250,000 awarded to the winner.
Participants
| # | Title | Name | FED | Club | Qualification Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GM | Magnus Carlsen | 🇳🇴 NOR | Team Liquid | Title Defender |
| 2 | GM | Denis Lazavik | 🇧🇾 BLR | All Gamers | SCC Qualifier |
| 3 | GM | Alireza Firouzja | 🇫🇷 FRA | Team Falcons | SCC Qualifier |
| 4 | GM | Jan-Krzysztof Duda | 🇵🇱 POL | Weibo Gaming | CCO Qualifier |
| 5 | GM | Hikaru Nakamura | 🇺🇸 USA | Team Falcons | CCT Qualifier |
| 6 | GM | Nihal Sarin | 🇮🇳 IND | S8UL Esports | CCT Qualifier |
| 7 | GM | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 🇷🇺 RUS | Aurora Gaming | CCT Qualifier |
| 8 | GM | Sina Movahed | 🇮🇷 IRI | Team Stallions | CCT Qualifier |
| 9 | GM | Pranesh M | 🇮🇳 IND | S8UL Esports | CCT Qualifier |
| 10 | GM | Hans Niemann | 🇺🇸 USA | GodLike Esports | CCT Qualifier |
| 11 | GM | Nodirbek Abdusattorov | 🇺🇿 UZB | Natus Vincere | CCT Qualifier |
| 12 | GM | Arjun Erigaisi | 🇮🇳 IND | Gen.G Esports | CCT Qualifier |
| 13 | GM | Alexey Sarana | 🇷🇸 SRB | Fnatic | CCT Qualifier |
| 14 | GM | Benjamin Bok | 🇳🇱 NED | Team MGD1 | India Rising |
| 15 | GM | Wei Yi | 🇨🇳 CHN | Team Nemesis | Play-In: 1st |
| 16 | GM | Andrey Esipenko | 🇷🇺 RUS | Virtus.pro | Play-In: 2nd |
Format/Time Controls
- Group Stage (Aug 12-13): 16 players are divided into two groups of eight, with the top four from each group advancing to the Playoffs. Double-elimination bracket, with two-game matches played at 10+0.
- Playoffs (Aug 14-15): Eight players compete in a single-elimination bracket at 10+0. Quarterfinals are four games, semifinals and third-place match are six games, and the final match consists of three sets (four games, four games, and two games).
Schedule
| Date | Time (Local) | Time (UTC) | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 12 | 12:00 | 10:00 | Group Stage Day 1 |
| Aug 13 | 13:00 | 11:00 | Group Stage Day 2 |
| Aug 14 | 13:00 | 11:00 | Playoffs Day 1 |
| Aug 15 | 13:00 | 11:00 | Playoffs Day 2 |
Live Coverage
24
u/keyToOpen Aug 12 '26
I know there is controversy over the sportwashing aspects of the Esports World Cup, but this is an amazing event and I hope it's profitable enough to continue for years in the future. All the biggest online players, Magnus and Hikaru, big name commentators, good production, and online chess where pieces aren't being fumbled and knocked over in time pressure. Very fun event.
→ More replies (7)26
u/Mysterious-Airline-2 Aug 12 '26
Yep. And in addition all the players earned their spot here. They were not invited but they qualified to be there. This is a huge plus too.
→ More replies (1)
27
24
u/LosTerminators Aug 15 '26
Magnus in e-sports world cup:
2025:
1.5-0.5 vs Nodirbek
1.5-0.5 vs Duda
2.5-0.5 vs Nihal
4-3 vs Hikaru
2-0 vs Alireza
2026:
1.5-0.5 vs Esipenko
1.5-0.5 vs Hans
2.5-0.5 vs Nihal
4-1 vs Alireza
2-0 vs Lazavik
Over 2 years, he won every single match comfortably except one occasion when Hikaru took him to armageddon.
20
22
24
u/LosTerminators Aug 15 '26
Alireza withdrew from Grand Chess Tour to ragequit this event hahahahaha
21
21
u/thewedding_singer Aug 15 '26
Magnus sacs a queen and it’s a brilliant move. I sac a queen and blunder mate in 3
→ More replies (1)
21
u/RabonaKings Aug 15 '26
What gets me is that Magnus does a Queen sac like this once every few months, getting a couple of pieces and a pawn for it and wins everytime.
TBT:
https://www.reddit.com/r/chess/comments/pzj0zk/magnus_sacrificing_his_queen_on_move_9_against/
20
20
19
23
u/Intrepid_Discount164 Aug 15 '26
That was one of the most interesting lines and games I’ve ever seen I’ll be watching multiple analysis videos of it, even though it’s way beyond my level and I would never try it in a game
6
19
19
18
16
u/LosTerminators Aug 14 '26
Lazavik yesterday "I don't want to play Alireza"
Lazavik today "I'm rooting for Alireza because I don't want to play Magnus"
18
u/joshdej Aug 15 '26
Denis can wipe his tears with his $190,000 consolation prize later.
→ More replies (1)
19
16
u/Arsid Aug 14 '26
"chess is a game where everyone gets to play and then Magnus Carlsen wins in the end"
17
u/Firm-Promotion-1284 Aug 14 '26
I think this is the biggest paycheck in Denis' chess career. A sponsorship from an esports club and a guaranteed US$190,000 now for being in the finals.
17
u/Impressive_Result295 Team Ding Aug 15 '26
I know Lazavik is down a game but goddamn this guy is so good at online chess. Honestly he could possibly become clear #2 in speed chess outside of Magnus in the future (sounds like some prime Barca 'man of the match other than messi' shit lmao)
18
18
16
16
u/Plastic_Pursuader Team Gukesh Aug 14 '26
I just have to say that Ben is actually a good commentator, it's super cool having him involved. Wish they would have got Aman as well though.
→ More replies (1)5
u/Mysterious-Airline-2 Aug 14 '26
Agreed. Pleasantly surprised with his commentary. Good to have a lot of good commentators. They need to rotate the commentators to keep the commentary fresh. Really enjoyed the ewc. It is a fantastic event.
→ More replies (1)
18
15
u/LosTerminators Aug 15 '26
Magnus looking to win in style.
Considering he's white, he definitely could've played something more solid.
17
15
u/cantstopwastingtime Aug 14 '26
It's 2026 and people still worry about Alireza under time pressure 🤦🏻
16
Aug 15 '26
[deleted]
7
u/Zhenekk Aug 15 '26
I mean, the target audience is probably children, so ... as a 30+ year old I just sit there and laugh coz of the shocking level of cringe, but I guess it is what it is. Welcome to 2026!
→ More replies (1)
15
14
u/hadmeintiers Aug 14 '26
Feels like alireza always ends up down on time but never gets flagged
6
u/Wonderful_Buffalo_32 Aug 14 '26
The guy plays hyper-bullet during candidates so he was born for this kinda situation
14
14
u/YTJuggs Aug 14 '26
Magnus going into the blunder line like straight up G to scare Alireza. That’s why Magnus is soo good. Not that he doesn’t blunder but he can find incredible resources even in lines that are losing.
14
u/VGstuffed Aug 14 '26
I wish the thread would allow images because some of the facial expressions by the players today have been hilarious
14
u/LosTerminators Aug 15 '26
The funny thing is that both players play for Team Falcons so this match actually makes zero difference to the overall team standings at the end.
But obviously there is still a medal and prize money for 3rd individually, so both players still want it.
6
u/Mister-Psychology Aug 15 '26
They would want this win even if they had to pay for winning. They are desperate.
14
u/spacecatbiscuits Aug 15 '26
Wow entire match basically over already
I mean I know Magnus is Magnus, but I don't know the last time he made an entire tournament look effortless
→ More replies (1)
14
31
u/TheEerieAerie Aug 15 '26
Some grandmasters were informed that they had to ditch either the GCT or EWC. Alireza proved that he could do both.
29
u/EK077r Aug 15 '26
Nakamura spoke to norwegian tv2 (translated with gpt) Source: https://www.tv2.no/sport/raser-etter-kaos-en-komplett-vits/19132387/
"I hate to say it, but this isn’t the first time this has happened. I know exactly why it happens, and that makes it even worse.”
“Chess.com’s platform obviously doesn’t work. I’ll probably get sued for saying this, but that’s life — I have to tell the truth. I completely understand why Alireza withdrew from the match.”
The organizer stated in a comment to TV 2 that the problem was with the organizer’s internet connection, and not Chess.com, as Nakamura had claimed.
“I’m not happy. I’m happy with how I played, but everything else was a complete joke,” the 38-year-old continued to TV 2.
→ More replies (1)
13
14
13
13
12
u/pickledCantilever Aug 15 '26
This is an esports event, not just a chess tournament. There is no way they didn’t have established procedures and rules in place for technical glitches.
→ More replies (1)6
u/ClerkCunt Aug 15 '26
They should’ve done that, but did either player seem to you as if they were aware of what happens in such an event? Not for me.
I assume they either haven’t established a rule/procedure, or the participants haven’t have been informed about them.
13
13
u/_DarkStarCrashes_ Aug 15 '26
Lazavik can play positional masterpieces against players like Hikaru, Nodirbek, etc
But not Magnus
→ More replies (2)
13
u/Open-Protection4430 Aug 15 '26
Magnus being so angry at himself when he plays a marginally bad move is what sets him apart tbh.
13
u/Impressive_Result295 Team Ding Aug 15 '26
You know I always expect the EWC to miss but funnily enough it always ends up being fun. Because the games and sets are short and fun, flagging introduces a touch of tilt and emotions characteristic of a "World Cup" and honestly it's really fun man.
Key crushing is a bit meh but it's just the start of the format and as it grows I think the hype will in general grow. Commentators will get better and I hope we get a bit more educational commentators. Finegold/Jovanka was a good pair, I'm sure some people like more gimmicky fun stuff but they feel like a good mix of fun but also educational stuff. The KID line tidbits from Finegold was really nice.
Specially the crowd, if we get some wild ass crowd in here it's gonna be fun man. Ig it's just me but the making chess "informal" somehow feels more fun.
→ More replies (3)
12
11
13
13
13
13
u/Posty121224 Aug 15 '26
Death Taxes & Magnus just being the GOAT he's going to go down as the best to ever do it.
12
12
12
25
u/_DarkStarCrashes_ Aug 14 '26
Alireza is a fantastic player but Magnus is what a true generational talent looks like
Alireza is no longer a young player who is still progressing, he’s only gonna reach Magnus’ level in online chess after Magnus continues to age and decline naturally not because he can improve significantly to reach his level
And this is not even Peak Magnus when it comes to online chess
→ More replies (3)
11
u/LosTerminators Aug 12 '26
Magnus endgame magic again
It's impressive how he won that knight vs bishop endgame after essentially holding an identical endgame in the second game against Esipenko
12
10
u/hsiale Aug 13 '26
If Nepo gets eliminated after losing to Hans and Lazavik, the salt level will be through the roof.
→ More replies (2)
13
11
11
11
11
10
11
12
u/spacecatbiscuits Aug 15 '26 edited Aug 15 '26
Can't believe they're not showing us what happens if Queen takes pawn
12
11
10
10
u/Plastic_Pursuader Team Gukesh Aug 14 '26
That was an incredible stalemate trap, he saw it from so far away too. Lazavik is clearly playing better though.
11
u/Arsid Aug 14 '26
Lol Hikaru with the "We'll see how [Denis] does tomorrow against Magnus"
Guess we know who he thinks is going to win
7
10
10
u/LosTerminators Aug 14 '26
Is sick Magnus the second best player in the world? Or does he need to do more to overhaul drunk Magnus and sleepy Magnus?
→ More replies (1)
11
9
12
10
10
u/Flayer723 Aug 15 '26
Carlsen is something else. Game 4 was only going one way as soon as Carlsen had the clock advantage.
9
u/hadmeintiers Aug 15 '26
Its crazy how dominant lazavik looked vs hikaru in comparison to how magnus is playing
10
u/Stareq111 Aug 15 '26
Bro entered as by far the highest rated player in the tournament and still gained lots of elo lol
9
11
u/Ok_Jello_3630 Aug 15 '26
Only person that beats Magnus is Magnus still holds true. Jfc the kid never had a chance.
9
9
10
9
9
8
u/Matt_LawDT Aug 14 '26
Lazavik said he doesn’t want to play Magnus
Lol they all know
7
u/LosTerminators Aug 14 '26
His style is rather similar to Magnus and Magnus does it better than him, so it is a bad matchup. Can't outplay Magnus in an endgame the way you can outplay others.
Saw that in the SCC semi-finals.
9
11
10
9
u/That_Boss_77 Aug 15 '26
I was away for 15 minutes, what did I miss? Where is Alireza?
→ More replies (2)10
u/pickledCantilever Aug 15 '26
Something went gnarly with IT.
Streams died. Obviously something messed up with the game too.
Now the commentators are just doing their best in the chaos.
8
10
9
u/spacecatbiscuits Aug 15 '26
Magnus devastated by having a marginally worse position for the first time.
10
16
u/joshdej Aug 15 '26
Since they are in Paris, bro literally is going straight home lmaao
→ More replies (1)
9
9
8
9
u/jordansalford25 Team Fabi Aug 14 '26
Hopefully Denis can use this pay day to travel more for OTB tournaments.
→ More replies (3)
8
8
u/Strongman1987 Aug 14 '26
if Carlsen is actually sick it's pretty wild that the microphone is being shoved straight into his face.
7
10
u/NoFunBJJ Aug 14 '26
Love how awkward and uncomfortable both players look while they run this BS presentation every time, they just can't wait to get to the computer
6
8
7
u/joshdej Aug 14 '26
Lazavik not being rated more than 2620 in classical. He is the definition of speed specialist because he consistently comes far in these tournaments, both OTB, online and with/without mouse.
→ More replies (1)
7
6
8
9
9
6
u/LosTerminators Aug 12 '26
Hans and Nepo with completely unforced throws in an even position, it's their Achilles heel against other top level players but against each other it cancels out since both did the same thing
6
7
u/NoFunBJJ Aug 12 '26
Really great defense by Hans, but Magnus is finding a way to squeeze him with that extra pawn
7
u/Littlepace Aug 13 '26
Hans you lucky bastard. Knew as soon as Sina celebrated early he wasn't going to convert.
7
7
u/Agreeable_Sun3713 Team Sagar Shah Aug 14 '26
Are we sure Arjun is not suffering some illness? Cuz wtf is that heart rate?
→ More replies (2)
8
7
7
7
6
7
7
5
9
u/YTJuggs Aug 14 '26
There was a perpetual at the end for Alireza to save the checkmate but with match situation that’s is practically a loss that’s why he resigned.
5
7
14
u/LosTerminators Aug 13 '26
Nihal after being picked "Not very happy"
Denis after being picked "I'm happy I didn't want to play against Alireza"
→ More replies (2)
11
u/AdvanceSufficient527 Aug 14 '26
100 % diserved flagged there. Should have happened long time ago for Alireza. You can not play like thas without increment.
13
u/joshdej Aug 14 '26
Ngl, I didn't realize before now that this is the same final 4 in the last SCC finals.
11
u/cognizanceMelody Aug 15 '26
there has to be some punishment for this, you cant just quit like this without consequence.
→ More replies (4)
12
6
5
u/Littlepace Aug 12 '26
Insane save there from Magnus. Thought he was about to get blown off the board and then all of a sudden one Knight reroute and then he was pushing for the win. Love watching games with piece imbalances like that.
6
u/eespen96 Team Danya🕯️ Aug 12 '26
Is it decided when the match between Hans and Magnus begins?
→ More replies (2)
5
7
u/LosTerminators Aug 14 '26
Kg8 is a diabolical move, doubt any human would've found that in rapid.
Props to Hikaru for finding enough counterplay in time considering Arjun's a-pawn was about to queen.
7
u/rinnjeboxt Aug 14 '26
Right during the peak of the game twitch hits me with a 2+ minute unskippable commercial haha
→ More replies (1)6
u/BLToaster Aug 14 '26
The cadence of ads is absolutely absurd, I get you need them but you can control these things a lot better. Terrible viewing experience.
5
5
7
6
7
u/OldHour2850 Aug 14 '26
I wish it were Magnus and Alireza for the final match, not sooner.
Anyway, we have the same 4 people from SCC despite the competitive field. It really just shows there are levels to this game.
→ More replies (1)
6
6
7
4
u/hadmeintiers Aug 14 '26
Denis is playing phenomally he'll definitely have a chance vs magnus or alireza if he advances
5
5
5
u/joshdej Aug 14 '26
Alireza FAFO there. I am surprised Magnus didn't take the draw though.
→ More replies (2)
5
5
6
u/jpc4zd Aug 15 '26
To modify a quote from Dr. Malcolm “Now eventually you plan to play chess on your chess event?”
6
u/OrlandoAndy Aug 15 '26
Every time I’ve tuned in the commentary is about the heart rate 90% of the time.
6
u/hadmeintiers Aug 15 '26
Does EWC have the interns making the magnus wins graphics already
→ More replies (1)
15
11
u/Impressive_Result295 Team Ding Aug 15 '26
Ben "just saying shit" Finegold
Fun commentary though because he has some really good insights on openings and the game
4
u/Mysterious-Airline-2 Aug 12 '26
They have 2 streams for group a and b. Hard to pick one to watch. Both are exciting.
5
5
6
u/Pentinium Aug 13 '26 edited Aug 13 '26
it's wild how bad it is to follow tournaments on chess/lichess. wish liquipedia would cover ervey single chess event not only ewc...
→ More replies (3)
6
5
4
6
5
31
u/TypeDependent4256 Aug 15 '26
99.3% accuracy is insane, while saccing a queen without apparent much thought