Gukesh, Vidit, Pragg, Arjun begin Quest at Freestyle Chess 2nd Leg in Paris

Paris, April 7 2025 - The second Freestyle Chess Grand Slam of the year is underway in Paris. From April 7 to 14, twelve of the world’s top grandmasters are battling for a $750,000 prize fund—$200,000 for the winner—in a format that has already redefined elite chess competition.

Freestyle CEO Jan Henric Buettner and his team are determined to build on the momentum: “The first Grand Slam in Weissenhaus was a huge success – we tripled the reach compared to the inaugural Freestyle tournament at the same venue the year before,” says Freestyle COO Thomas Harsch. With that experience in mind, the journey continues in one of the most vibrant cities in Europe. Buettner: “We’re constantly learning – but one thing is guaranteed: the very best are playing.”

The exclusive Pavillon Chesnaie du Roy, nestled in the Bois de Vincennes, hosts the high-stakes event in Paris. With randomized back-rank positions in every game, Freestyle Chess removes memorized openings and rewards pure chess skill: creativity, calculation, and adaptability.

 

A Clash of Champions: Keymer vs. Carlsen?

All eyes are on Germany’s Vincent Keymer, the surprise winner of the inaugural Grand Slam in Weissenhaus. Can the 20-year-old repeat his stunning run? Will Magnus Carlsen, the world number one, return with vengeance and restore order at the top?

“Mind against mind. Freestyle against the world’s best is the ultimate challenge,” says Carlsen. He’s looking forward to the tournament in Paris — and to the unique creative possibilities Freestyle Chess offers from the very first move. “For the spectators, it’s exciting to watch the best players take on this challenge.”

With only the top three players securing automatic qualification for the next Grand Slam in New York this July, every point in Paris counts.

Line-Up Update: Rapport, Abdusattorov In – Firouzja, Niemann Out

Two late changes add extra intrigue: French number one Alireza Firouzja and wildcard Hans Niemann have withdrawn. Stepping in are Hungary’s Richard Rapport and Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Fan favorite Rapport, runner-up in the official Qualification Tournament, is renowned for his bold, imaginative play. His presence injects fresh energy into an already world-class field. The same goes for Nodirbek Abdusattorov, whose uncompromising, fighting style has made him one of the most dangerous players on the circuit. On a good day, the tricky and unpredictable world No. 6 can take down anyone.

Paris Line-Up:

Magnus Carlsen

Gukesh Dommaraju (World Champion)

Fabiano Caruana 

Hikaru Nakamura

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Vincent Keymer

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

Praggnanandhaa R.

Arjun Erigaisi

Vidit Santosh Gujarathi (Qualification winner)

Richard Rapport (Qualification runner-up)

Nodirbek Abdusattorov

 

The Road Ahead

After Paris, the Grenke Freestyle Open in Karlsruhe, Germany (April 17–21) promises to set participation records, featuring stars like Carlsen and Keymer. The winner there will claim a ticket to the New York Grand Slam—making the upcoming weeks decisive in the Freestyle Chess calendar.

With elite names, unpredictable positions, and momentum on the line, Paris sets the tone for a dramatic spring in world chess.

 

For schedule, pairings, and live coverage, visit: freestylechess.com

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Weissenhaus Players Decide to Call Tour Winner Freestyle Chess Champion

February 10, 2025 – At a Sunday evening meeting in Weissenhaus with organizer Jan Henric Buettner, 12 Freestyle Chess Players Club members unanimously decided that the 2025 Grand Slam Tour winner in December (South Africa) will be titled "Freestyle Chess Champion." They also plan to form their own independent association with a qualified legal team to represent their interests.

The Sunday evening meeting, following the first day of the quarterfinals, included all Freestyle Chess Grand Slam participants in Weissenhaus and remote members of the Freestyle Chess Players Club. They agreed to temporarily avoid using "world" to counter FIDE's unfounded claims of ownership over such word.

"This was never our intention, as we have always called our events 'G.O.A.T. Challenge' or 'Grand Slam,'" said Jan Henric Buettner. "It’s important to note that this decision was made by the players, not by Freestyle – and certainly not by FIDE." The title "Freestyle Chess Champion" will apply for the 2025 season. At year’s end, organizers and players will review and discuss the 2026 Tour, including the title at stake.

Another key outcome of Sunday’s roundtable in Weissenhaus was the players’ plan to establish an independent association representing top chess players, staffed with a qualified legal team. This move comes in direct response to recent clashes with FIDE.

Last month, FIDE demanded that players sign a legally questionable document, setting an inconvenient deadline right after the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee, where many were competing. The document required them to (i) acknowledge an alleged obligation not to compete in non-FIDE events crowning a World Champion or similar title and (ii) accept a ban from future FIDE World Championship cycles if they violated this rule.

The players, some still teenagers, were notified by FIDE’s Legal Director and were given no chance for legal counsel to review the demand. "These repeated harassments are outrageous," said Buettner. "We strongly oppose FIDE’s coercive tactics, which pressure players to forgo their right to choose which events to play."

"We were ready to take all necessary action to defend the freedom of the players." But in Sunday’s meeting, players unanimously agreed to ignore FIDE’s demands, refusing to be forced into choosing between exciting new events and future FIDE participation.

Monday marks the second day of quarterfinals in Weissenhaus, the first of five tournaments in the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, which features a $750,000 prize fund.

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