Nakamura admits mistake after chaotic forfeit in EWC third-place match
Hikaru Nakamura clarified that the technical failure causing Alireza Firouzja's withdrawal was an EWC issue, not a problem with chess.com, and retracted his earlier accusation.
The Esports World Cup 2026 third-place match between Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja was marred by a series of connection losses that ultimately forced Firouzja to exit the contest. Nakamura, left without communication for roughly twenty minutes, was informed that the match would be recorded as a forfeit win for him. Assuming the fault lay with chess.com, he voiced that belief in post-match interviews.
Subsequent one outlet revealed the disruption originated from an EWC technical fault affecting several events. Acknowledging his error, Nakamura issued a retraction, apologized to chess.com, and requested the correction be widely shared. He also dismissed rumors of pressure from any “chess mafia.” The forfeit secured Nakamura third place, a $145,000 prize, and Club Championship points for Falcons Esports.
Why it matters
The incident highlights how technical glitches can affect esports outcomes and the importance of accurate public statements.
In this story
