Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen has won the Chess at Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 title, securing his second consecutive EWC trophy without losing a single game throughout the tournament.

According to an Esports World Cup Foundation press release from Paris Yesterday, representing Team Liquid, Carlsen defeated AG. AL’s Denis Lazavik in two sets in the grand final. Lazavik managed to draw four games against Carlsen but could not win a single game against the reigning champion.

Carlsen remained unbeaten in both the group stage and playoffs, winning or drawing every individual game. His perfect run in 2026 improves on his 2025 EWC campaign, when he lost three individual games. Carlsen has now never lost a match at the Esports World Cup.

In the playoffs, Carlsen defeated Team Falcons’ Alireza Firouzja in the semifinals. Firouzja was also Carlsen’s opponent in the EWC 2025 grand final.

Carlsen then faced a new challenger in the 2026 final in the form of 19-year-old Denis Lazavik of AG.AL. The Belarusian had lost only one match on his way to the final, against Team Falcons’ Hikaru Nakamura in the group stage.

Lazavik faced Nakamura again in the semifinals and this time defeated him to secure his place in the final against Carlsen. However, Carlsen won the final in two sets to successfully defend his EWC title.

Speaking after his victory, Carlsen said he had played against Lazavik online several times and had previously taken more risks against him. He said he focused on avoiding obvious positional disadvantages and taking the opportunities that came his way.

Carlsen also said there were moments during the tournament when he could have lost, but he was pleased to finish unbeaten. He added that avoiding losses was part of his strategy and that he focused on playing tight chess and taking the chances available to him.

Earlier on the same day, Team Falcons’ Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja faced each other in the third-place match. The two grandmasters appeared evenly matched at the start of the six-game set, but Nakamura took control by the fourth game and won the series 3-1.

The result secured third place for Team Falcons and earned the team 500 Club Championship points.With his victory, Carlsen has now won the Chess at Esports World Cup title in consecutive years and remains unbeaten in his EWC matches.