‘Hopefully, Alireza can kick Magnus Carlsen's a**': Hikaru Nakamura after epic semifinal loss at Esports World Cup
World no. 2 GM Hikaru Nakamura fell just short of a spot in the Esports World Cup 2025 chess final, losing to long-time rival and World No. 1
Magnus Carlsen
in a dramatic 4–3 thriller that went all the way to Armageddon on Thursday.
The five-time World Champion will now face GM Alireza Firouzja in Friday's Grand Final, while Nakamura will battle Arjun Erigaisi for third place and a $145,000 prize.
After the match, Nakamura didn't hold back his feelings.
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'Hopefully, tomorrow Alireza can kick Magnus Carlsen's a**,' he said with a laugh, summing up the fierce rivalry and emotions of the day.
The semifinal between Carlsen and Nakamura lived up to all the hype.
Carlsen drew first blood in game one, but Nakamura hit back in style in game three, trapping Carlsen's queen with a sharp King's Indian Defense — the first loss Carlsen has suffered in the tournament.
But the Norwegian, stung by the home crowd's cheers for Nakamura, bounced back immediately.
Poll
Do you believe Hikaru Nakamura will secure a victory for third place against Arjun Erigaisi?
Yes, he will win
No, he will lose
'It pissed me off when they cheered when Hikaru was winning!' Carlsen admitted.
With the match tied 3–3 after a rollercoaster of wins and one quiet draw, it came down to Armageddon.
Nakamura, known for his bold time bids, gave himself only 6 minutes and 12 seconds against Carlsen's 10, needing just a draw with Black.
He came agonizingly close. 'I had a great position. If I had played Bxa4 instead of Rxa4, I think I'd be in the final. It's very disheartening, but that's how it goes,' Nakamura reflected.
Carlsen, too, confessed the pressure got to him. 'I was so nervous. I was shaking. This was really tough!'
Friday's final will now see Carlsen take on Firouzja for the $250,000 top prize, and Nakamura, clearly, will be rooting for his teammate.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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