19-year-old GM Denis Lazavik pulled off the day’s biggest upset to defeat GM Ian Nepomniachtchi and book a 2026 Esports World Cup quarterfinal against GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov. He’s joined by GM Nihal Sarin, who faces GM Magnus Carlsen in a repeat of their 2025 quarterfinal; GM Arjun Erigaisi, who faces GM Hikaru Nakamura; and GM Hans Niemann, who will take on GM Alireza Firouzja.
The Esports World Cup Playoffs begin on Friday, August 14 at 7 a.m. ET / 13:00 CEST / 4:30 p.m. IST.
This is a flash report—come back later for full coverage of the day’s action!
The Lower Bracket of each group was completed on Thursday, with four more players qualifying for the Playoffs.
Esports World Cup Group A Final Bracket
Esports World Cup Group B Final Bracket
Our Game of the Day is Lazavik’s match-clinching win over Nepomniachtchi.
Denis Lazavik knocks out Ian Nepomniachtchi and goes forward to tomorrow’s Playoffs! https://t.co/ElYL3HWE0w#EWC2026 pic.twitter.com/UisNcW09ec
— chess24 (@chess24com) August 13, 2026
GM Rafael Leitao analyzes the game below.
How to watch?
The 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris, France has a $1.5 million chess prize fund and $250,000 for first place, while esports teams also share a $30 million prize fund. 16 players qualified via the Champions Chess Tour, DreamHack Atlanta, India Rising, or as defending champion (Carlsen), while another five qualified via the Last Chance Qualifier (August 4-6) in Paris. The main event (August 11-15) features a Play-In to cut the field to 16 players, then a Group Stage with two double-elimination groups to halve it again to eight. Those players then compete in the Playoffs, a single-elimination knockout for the title. The time control for all games is 10 minutes, with no increment.
Previous coverage:
- Group Stage, Day 1: Carlsen, Nakamura, Firouzja, Abdusattorov Reach Esports World Cup Playoffs
- Play-In: Esipenko, Wei Yi Join Carlsen & Co. In Esports World Cup Last 16
- Last Chance Qualifier: Artemiev, Maghsoodloo, Wei, Bortnyk, Grischuk Grab Last Spots In Esports World Cup
- Aravindh, Esipenko, Liem Le, Sarana Qualify For Esports World Cup Play-in
- Chess Returns to Esports World Cup in Paris With $1.5M Prize Fund
- Magnus Carlsen Wins 1st Ever Chess Esports World Cup