Magnus Carlsen will face Alireza Firouzja in the 2025 Esports World Cup of Chess Grand Final on Friday, August 1.
After edging out Hikaru Nakamura 4-3 in a tense semifinal that went down to an Armageddon decider, Carlsen now stands one match away from claiming the $250,000 winner’s prize.
Firouzja cruised past Arjun Erigaisi 4-1 in his semifinal and is aiming to bring down the world number in this high-stakes showdown.
The Esports World Cup chess event, part of the $1.5 million prize pool tournament in Riyadh, has drawn global attention with its fast 10-minute time controls and thrilling Armageddon tiebreaks.
Here’s a breakdown of the prize pool, betting odds for the final, and everything you need to know to catch the action.
ESports World Cup of Chess 2025: Results so far
The 2025 Esports World Cup of Chess has delivered high-stakes drama and elite-level competition through every stage of the knockout bracket. The knockout stage of the tournament began with eight top grandmasters, and the field has now narrowed to just two: Magnus Carlsen and Alireza Firouzja.
In the quarterfinals, Arjun Erigaisi edged out Ian Nepomniachtchi 2.5-1.5, while Firouzja beat Nodirbek Abdusattorov 3-1. Magnus Carlsen delivered a dominant 2.5-0.5 win over Nihal Sarin, and Hikaru Nakamura advanced after a tight 2.5-1.5 victory over Levon Aronian.
The semifinals were equally gripping. Firouzja overpowered Erigaisi 4-1, while Carlsen and Nakamura battled in a thriller that ended 4-3 in Carlsen’s favor after an Armageddon decider.
Now, Carlsen and Firouzja will meet in the Grand Final for the title and a $250,000 top prize, while Nakamura and Erigaisi face off in the third-place match with $145,000 on the line.
ESports World Cup of Chess 2025 prize pool
The 2025 Esports World Cup of Chess features a massive $1.5 million prize pool, making it one of the most lucrative chess tournaments in history.
The event also doubles as the final tournament of the Champions Chess Tour, attracting the world’s best grandmasters.
Every participant is guaranteed a minimum of $50,000, with the winner taking home $250,000 and 1,000 EWC Club Points.
Place | Prize Money (USD) | EWC Club Points | Participants |
1st | $250,000 | 1,000 | Magnus Carlsen / Alireza Firouzja |
2nd | $180,000 | 750 | Magnus Carlsen / Alireza Firouzja |
3rd | $125,000 | 500 | Arjun Erigaisi / Hikaru Nakamura |
4th | $125,000 | 300 | Arjun Erigaisi / Hikaru Nakamura |
5th–8th | $90,000 | 200 | Nepomniachtchi, Abdusattorov, Sarin, Aronian |
9th–12th | $65,000 | – | Esipenko, Vachier-Lagrave, Wei Yi, Duda |
13th–16th | $50,000 | – | Artemiev, Giri, Sindarov, Caruana |
The final standings will be decided after the Grand Final and third-place match today.
Esports World Cup of Chess Grand Final betting and prediction
According to Dafabet, Magnus Carlsen enters the Grand Final as the clear favorite with odds of 1.24 to beat Alireza Firouzja, who stands at 3.04.
Carlsen’s dominant form and experience in high-pressure matches make him the safer pick, but Firouzja’s aggressive style could still pose a challenge if he gains early momentum.
In the third-place match, Hikaru Nakamura is also heavily favored at 1.24 against Arjun Erigaisi (3.04). Given Nakamura’s resilience and rapid skills, he’s expected to bounce back strongly and secure the $145,000 prize.
Magnus Carlsen vs Alireza Firouzja (for 1st place)
Odds | |
Magnus Carlsen | 1.24 |
Alireza Firouzja | 3.04 |
Arjun Erigaisi vs Hikaru Nakamura (for 3rd place)
Odds | |
Arjun Erigaisi | 3.04 |
Hikaru Nakamura | 1.24 |
Back your pick on the ESports World Cup of Chess with Dafabet here!
TSN’s predictions for ESports World Cup of Chess Grand Final 2025
- Magnus Carlsen to win the Grand Final (1.24, Dafabet): Carlsen’s consistency, opening prep, and clutch performance in the semifinal suggest he’s well-positioned to take down Firouzja. Backing him outright may not offer huge returns, but it's the safest pick.
- Over 5.5 Games in the Final: Given Firouzja's form and the high stakes, expect a tightly contested match. This bet offers value for those expecting the final to stretch into the later games or even reach Armageddon.
- Hikaru Nakamura to win 3rd place playoff with a 2+ Game Margin: Nakamura’s superior rapid play gives him a strong edge over Arjun Erigaisi in the third-place match. If you're looking for better odds than the straight win, betting on a convincing margin adds value.
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How to Watch the ESports World Cup of Chess 2025 Grand Final live in India
The Grand Final starts at around 5:30PM IST in India, corresponding to 1:15PM KSA time.
To watch the ESports World Cup of Chess Grand Final live in India, you have several convenient options. Here’s how you can catch the action: