The Esports World Cup 2025 saw a dramatic chess semifinal between rivals Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, culminating in Carlsen shushing the Saudi crowd who were loudly backing his opponent.
An Electrifying Semifinal Showdown
The highly anticipated semifinal clash at the Esports World Cup (EWC) brought together the world’s top two chess players, Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura. This best-of-six series was packed with tense moments, high-quality play, and unforgettable antics, keeping chess fans on the edge of their seats.
Carlsen, the reigning World No. 1, faced off against World No. 2 Nakamura in a nail-biting duel that went all the way down to the wire. The stakes were incredibly high, with a spot in the EWC finals on the line.
Crowd Support Fuels the Drama
The live audience in Riyadh made their allegiance clear from the start, heavily favoring Hikaru Nakamura, who represents the Saudi-based Esports organization Team Falcon. Their roaring support for the American grandmaster created a charged atmosphere, adding another layer of intensity to the already fierce competition.
Carlsen initially took the lead with a win using the white pieces. However, Nakamura fought back fiercely, even reaching a nearly winning position in a subsequent game before settling for a draw under severe time pressure. Carlsen visibly celebrated this hold, understanding its critical value.
Carlsen’s Iconic Shush
Nakamura wasn’t done yet. Fueled by the crowd’s enthusiastic cheers, he clinched a victory in Game 3 with the black pieces, leveling the match at 1.5-1.5. This moment seemed to ignite Carlsen’s competitive fire even further.
As Carlsen gained a winning advantage in Game 4, he famously turned to the audience and raised a finger to his lips, making a clear gesture to silence the crowd. This bold move instantly became a talking point, showcasing Carlsen’s determination and reaction to the partisan support.
A Battle to the Finish
The match continued its back-and-forth trajectory. After a draw in the fifth game, Carlsen held a slim 3.0-2.0 lead. Nakamura, needing a win to stay in the tournament, delivered under pressure, defeating Carlsen and forcing the match into a tiebreaker: the Armageddon.
In the high-stakes Armageddon game, Carlsen emerged victorious, securing his spot in the finals. He will now face another crowd favorite and Nakamura’s Team Falcon teammate, Alireza Firouzja.
What’s Next for the Superstars
Following the intense semifinal, Carlsen didn’t hold back, admitting, “It pissed me off when they cheered when Hikaru was winning!” Nakamura, despite his loss, showed a competitive spirit, stating, “Hopefully tomorrow Alireza can kick Magnus Carlsen’s a**!”
While Carlsen prepares for the ultimate showdown, Hikaru Nakamura will compete against India’s Arjun Erigais in the third-place playoff match.
- Magnus Carlsen defeated Hikaru Nakamura in a dramatic Esports World Cup semifinal.
- Carlsen shushed the Saudi crowd who were cheering for Nakamura.
- The match went to an Armageddon tiebreaker, which Carlsen won to reach the finals.
- Carlsen will now face Alireza Firouzja in the final, while Nakamura plays for third place.
The Esports World Cup continues to deliver thrilling chess action, promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament.
The Esports World Cup 2025 saw a dramatic chess semifinal between rivals Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, culminating in Carlsen shushing the Saudi crowd who were loudly backing his opponent.
An Electrifying Semifinal Showdown
The highly anticipated semifinal clash at the Esports World Cup (EWC) brought together the world’s top two chess players, Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura. This best-of-six series was packed with tense moments, high-quality play, and unforgettable antics, keeping chess fans on the edge of their seats.
Carlsen, the reigning World No. 1, faced off against World No. 2 Nakamura in a nail-biting duel that went all the way down to the wire. The stakes were incredibly high, with a spot in the EWC finals on the line.
Crowd Support Fuels the Drama
The live audience in Riyadh made their allegiance clear from the start, heavily favoring Hikaru Nakamura, who represents the Saudi-based Esports organization Team Falcon. Their roaring support for the American grandmaster created a charged atmosphere, adding another layer of intensity to the already fierce competition.
Carlsen initially took the lead with a win using the white pieces. However, Nakamura fought back fiercely, even reaching a nearly winning position in a subsequent game before settling for a draw under severe time pressure. Carlsen visibly celebrated this hold, understanding its critical value.
Carlsen’s Iconic Shush
Nakamura wasn’t done yet. Fueled by the crowd’s enthusiastic cheers, he clinched a victory in Game 3 with the black pieces, leveling the match at 1.5-1.5. This moment seemed to ignite Carlsen’s competitive fire even further.
As Carlsen gained a winning advantage in Game 4, he famously turned to the audience and raised a finger to his lips, making a clear gesture to silence the crowd. This bold move instantly became a talking point, showcasing Carlsen’s determination and reaction to the partisan support.
A Battle to the Finish
The match continued its back-and-forth trajectory. After a draw in the fifth game, Carlsen held a slim 3.0-2.0 lead. Nakamura, needing a win to stay in the tournament, delivered under pressure, defeating Carlsen and forcing the match into a tiebreaker: the Armageddon.
In the high-stakes Armageddon game, Carlsen emerged victorious, securing his spot in the finals. He will now face another crowd favorite and Nakamura’s Team Falcon teammate, Alireza Firouzja.
What’s Next for the Superstars
Following the intense semifinal, Carlsen didn’t hold back, admitting, “It pissed me off when they cheered when Hikaru was winning!” Nakamura, despite his loss, showed a competitive spirit, stating, “Hopefully tomorrow Alireza can kick Magnus Carlsen’s a**!”
While Carlsen prepares for the ultimate showdown, Hikaru Nakamura will compete against India’s Arjun Erigais in the third-place playoff match.
- Magnus Carlsen defeated Hikaru Nakamura in a dramatic Esports World Cup semifinal.
- Carlsen shushed the Saudi crowd who were cheering for Nakamura.
- The match went to an Armageddon tiebreaker, which Carlsen won to reach the finals.
- Carlsen will now face Alireza Firouzja in the final, while Nakamura plays for third place.
The Esports World Cup continues to deliver thrilling chess action, promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament.
