Magnus Carlsen Set to Defend Esports World Cup Chess Crown in Paris

Chess returns to the Esports World Cup stage for a second straight year, and reigning champion Magnus Carlsen has confirmed he will travel to Paris to defend his title. Carlsen's title defense adds another marquee name to an EWC lineup that already spans dozens of competitive titles beyond traditional video games.

Chess has quickly become one of the more closely watched additions to the EWC calendar, and Carlsen's return raises the stakes for a field that includes several other top-rated grandmasters. Fans tracking the matchups on Playdash can follow updated odds as the bracket takes shape, with Playdash's esports betting hub folding chess alongside CS2, PUBG Mobile, and other EWC disciplines into one tournament tracker.