Magnus Carlsen won his second straight Esports World Cup chess title by using a simpler, more cautious style inspired by football manager Jose Mourinho. He defeated Denis Lazavik 2-0 in the final, winning both sets 3-1 without losing any matches.
Carlsen adopted this strategy partly because of the fast-paced, high-pressure format and his own health struggles during the tournament. He compared his approach to Mourinho’s teams, which often focus on practical, low-risk gameplay.
“I watched a documentary about Mourinho and thought, ‘Why not just win 1-0 every game?’” Carlsen said. “It worked well for this tournament because I wanted to save energy and stay focused.”
Carlsen admitted he felt unwell at times but gradually improved. He purposefully reduced risks in his gameplay, avoiding complex moves that might lead to mistakes. This approach helped him stay unbeaten throughout the competition.
He also acknowledged the role of luck in his success, as not losing a single game requires both skill and fortune. Carlsen praised the esports format for making chess more accessible and exciting, even though it differs from traditional tournaments.
“I think this is the future of chess,” he said. “It’s fast-paced, demanding, but fair to players.”