GM Magnus Carlsen defeated GMs Denis Lazavik and Jan-Krzysztof Duda, with a 3-2 score in both matches, to advance to the 2026 Chess.com Open Playoffs Grand Final. Just by reaching the Winners Final, however, Duda has earned one of the three qualifying spots to the 2026 Esports World Cup.
The following six players were eliminated in the Losers Bracket on Friday: GMs Pranesh M, Yu Yangyi, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Vincent Keymer, Daniil Dubov, and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.
This is a flash report. The full article will be added to this page soon!
Day three of the Chess.com Playoffs is on Saturday, April 25, starting at 11:15 a.m. ET / 17:15 CEST / 8:45 p.m. IST.
Winners Semifinals & Final: Carlsen Starts With Losses, Wins Both Matches
GM Rafael Leitao analyzes the Game of the Day below. (It will be added later.)
How To Watch
The Chess.com Open, taking place online from March 14 to April 26, is the world’s biggest open chess event. The tournament features open qualifiers, titled qualifiers, and Play-Ins that funnel into a 16-player double-elimination knockout. Up to $250,000 in prizes are available, on top of three direct qualification spots to the 2026 Esports World Cup.
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