All pieces in play, but only one can rise above. Chess at EWC 25 kicks off today 👏

Setting up some friendly fire across teammates 😳 The full Chess at EWC 25 pool play draft ⤵️

Very impressive to witness Levon Aronian carry his superb form from Vegas to Riyadh! 👏🏻

Keys will be crushed, playoff spots will be secured, but who will rise above the rest… We are LIVE as twelve players clash on the chessboard to secure their spot in the Chess at EWC 25 playoffs ⚔️

This was painful to watch - reminds me of how way too many of my own bullet games end in tragedy from winning positions… 🙈 Brain freeze is real! 🥶

Welcome to playoffs 👏 Nihal Sarin

From LCQ to playoffs for Nihal Sarin 🚀 Nihal Sarin CRUSHES Anish Giri's key following his 2-0 win

The most brutal of tournament exits… 💔

Recap is out: youtu.be/SwW19Gp0RrI 👍& leave me a comment! Tomorrow I play my old pal Levon Aronian like it was the dark ages, back before internet, before peripherals, back when it was caveman carved stone pieces and wooden boards. What a trip it's been. #FALCONSAREHERE #EWC

No more second chances ♟️ The Chess at EWC 25 playoffs are LIVE now

El Chessico — Magnus Carlsen vs Hikaru Nakamura Two will enter, but only one will rise above and earn their spot in the finals 🏆

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Magnus SILENCES the crowd rooting against him! 🤫😆

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Two remain, but only one will rise above and become a Champion 🏆 Your البنك الأهلي السعودي match of the day — Alireza Firouzja vs Magnus Carlsen

HOLD IT HIGH 🏆 Magnus Carlsen

Chess at the Esports World Cup was a massive success. Production was top notch, pace mirrored a typical sporting event, live audience brought great energy, commentary and bonus content was fun, and the drama of the matchups was perfect. Can we please make this the norm?

Still buzzing from first-ever #Chesstival - where hoops met chess in best way. Honored to rep basketball as co-host & commentator w/James Dash, David Howell, Fiona Steil-Antoni, Daniel Rensch. Big thanks to DZY, Magnus Carlsen & all who made it unforgettable. For charity, too! 🏀♟️

Before Round 7, we paused to IM Adam Hunt, who sadly passed in Dec 2024. A brilliant player, coach & author, Adam inspired countless young talents. He was awarded the ECF President’s Award for Services to Chess, accepted on his behalf by his sister IM Harriet Hunt.

As I walked to #KingstonChess this morning I took a picture of the street sculpture seen here. On arrival at the venue the next picture I took happened to be Graeme Buckley talking to Supratit Banerjee. Then later I looked at the two together... LOL