Magnus Carlsen Advances to 2026 Chess.com Open Playoffs Grand Final After Thrilling Semifinal Matches
Winners Semifinals & Final: Carlsen Starts With Losses, Wins Both Matches
Losers Rounds 2 & 3: Five Players Remain
Magnus Carlsen Triumphs in Chess.com Open Playoffs, Advances to Grand Final
April 24, 2026 — In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen has secured his place in the Grand Final of the 2026 Chess.com Open Playoffs. Carlsen triumphed over Grandmasters Denis Lazavik and Jan-Krzysztof Duda, winning both matches with a nail-biting score of 3-2.
The stakes were high, and the competition fierce, as Carlsen faced Lazavik in the semifinals. Despite a rocky start that saw him lose the first game due to a blunder, Carlsen rallied to win two consecutive games before heading into an armageddon tiebreaker. In a dramatic finish, he neutralized Lazavik’s opening strategy and clinched victory, showcasing his prowess in rapid and blitz formats.
Meanwhile, Duda advanced to the Winners Final after a convincing 3-0 sweep against Nihal Sarin, solidifying his position in the top three and earning a coveted spot in the 2026 Esports World Cup.
In the final showdown between Carlsen and Duda, the tension was palpable. Duda initially took the lead, but Carlsen’s experience shone through as he won the fourth game and then the decisive armageddon match, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure.
A Day of Upsets in the Losers Bracket
The day was not without its surprises, as six notable players were eliminated from the tournament, including GMs Ian Nepomniachtchi and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. The remaining competitors in the Losers Bracket include GMs Sina Movahed and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, both of whom won their matches to keep their hopes alive.
Movahed’s impressive performance included a dramatic armageddon victory over Yu Yangyi, while Abdusattorov showcased resilience by overcoming both Nepomniachtchi and Vachier-Lagrave in closely contested matches.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, Carlsen will enjoy a well-deserved rest day on Saturday, April 25, while the Losers Bracket continues to unfold. Duda will face the winner of the Losers Semifinals, with the ultimate goal of challenging Carlsen in the Grand Final, where the Norwegian will still have two lives remaining.
The Chess.com Open, the largest online chess event in the world, features a staggering prize pool of $250,000 and offers three direct qualification spots for the 2026 Esports World Cup. With the competition heating up, chess enthusiasts around the globe are eagerly anticipating the next round of matches.
How to Watch: Tune in on Saturday, April 25, starting at 11:15 a.m. ET / 17:15 CEST / 8:45 p.m. IST to catch all the action live.