freestyle chess

India’s chess boom is inspiring young talents, but families face huge financial and logistical struggles behind the scenes. Parents spend lakhs on foreign tournaments, visas, travel, and coaching, often without sponsorship or federation support. Many also deal with poor tournament systems in India and scams abroad. Despite rising success stories like Vaishali and Gukesh, chess parents say survival in the sport remains extremely difficult.

In this exclusive interview, Vincent Keymer reflected on his rise from winning the Grenke Open at 13 to claiming the Grenke Freestyle 2026 title in Karlsruhe. Germany’s No. 1 spoke about freestyle chess relying more on intuition, handling the “intimidation factor” of Magnus Carlsen, and balancing school with chess while growing up in a family of musicians. Keymer also praised coach Péter Lékó and discussed the challenges young chess players face in Germany compared to countries like India.

Despite a power outage and darkness, eight-year-old chess prodigy Tamizh Amudhan competed in the Freestyle Friday online championship from his home in Thiruthangal. Using a candle and mobile torch, he even managed to defeat World No. 7 Vincent Keymer before his laptop battery died.

Despite a power outage and heavy rain, eight-year-old chess prodigy Tamizh Amudhan played in an online championship from his dimly lit home. Using a candle and mobile torch, he even defeated World No. 7 Vincent Keymer before his laptop battery died. This remarkable feat highlights his dedication and passion for the game.

In a nation where only four women have ever earned the GM title, 35-year-old Harika remains one of its most enduring pillars. As her compatriots prepare for the traditional grind of World Championship cycles, Harika has qualified for the inaugural FIDE Women’s freestyle chess World Championship, which is set to take place next year.

Exclusive: Javokhir Sindarov won the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, earning a World Championship match against D Gukesh. Germany No. 1 Vincent Keymer praised his aggressive and fearless style of play. "It was easy for him to lose the first game," said Keymer as Uzbek prodigy sealed the title with a round to spare.

Harika Dronavalli clarified viral handshake incident with Nodirbek Yakubboev, saying there was no disrespect. He had pre-informed her he cannot do handshakes due to religious beliefs, and her instinctive resignation gesture caused confusion. She urged social media not to blame him. Similar past incidents exist with Vaishali Rameshbabu. Harika stressed mutual respect and focus on chess, despite controversy overshadowing results.

R Vaishali created history by winning the 2026 Women’s Candidates, earning the right to challenge China’s reigning champion Ju Wenjun for the Women’s World Chess Championship crown. She beat Kateryna Lagno in the final round after Divya Deshmukh held Bibisara Assaubayeva to a draw. Vaishali now faces reigning champion Ju Wenjun and is guaranteed €28,000 plus additional bonuses.

At the Grenke Chess Festival, Alua Nurman took a selfie with Magnus Carlsen before their match. Though he agreed, Carlsen reported it, leading officials to confiscate her phone under strict anti-cheating rules. The game continued normally, with Carlsen winning. A similar incident happened last year, highlighting how strictly chess authorities enforce rules, even in harmless situations like selfies.

R Praggnanandhaa drew his sixth-round Candidates match, while leader Javokhir Sindarov continued his winning streak, extending his lead. Fabiano Caruana also fell further behind. In the women's section, R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh secured crucial wins for India. Meanwhile, Amin Tabatabaei halted Magnus Carlsen's winning run in a separate tournament.

At the Grenke Freestyle Open, Harika Dronavali offered a handshake while resigning, but Nodirbek Yakubboev responded with a respectful “Namaste,” both smiling. Meanwhile, Keymer and Niemann lead the event. Yakubboev earlier avoided shaking hands with Vaishali, later apologising with gifts. He clarified his actions were due to “religious reasons,” while expressing respect for her and Indian players.

Magnus Carlsen criticised FIDE after co-founding freestyle chess Players Club with Jan Henric Beuttner, which led to a dispute over the term "World Championship". Carlsen supports Beuttner's stance that their new tour shouldn't replace traditional championships but should have its unique format. FIDE warned of potential conflict but expressed openness to collaboration.

Viswanathan Anand's withdrawal from the freestyle chess Grand Slam in Germany dealt a major blow to hopes of reconciliation between FIDE and freestyle chess. Tensions escalated after a dress code dispute involving Magnus Carlsen, with Anand enforcing FIDE rules. Despite backchannel talks, Freestyle players ultimately chose to crown their own “freestyle chess Champion,” sidelining FIDE’s authority.

Magnus Carlsen won the 2026 FIDE freestyle chess World Championship in Germany, defeating Fabiano Caruana 2.5–1.5. A crucial comeback win in game three helped him secure the title, clinched with a draw in the final game. It is the first FIDE-recognised Freestyle world title and Carlsen’s 21st overall. Abdusattorov finished third, and the top three qualified for 2027.

Grandmaster Awonder Liang switched from the Grenke Classic's Open event to its freestyle chess segment, joining Magnus Carlsen. This move highlights the growing interest in freestyle chess, which minimizes pre-game preparation by using random starting positions. Organizers aim to broaden Freestyle's appeal, attracting top players and large audiences, potentially reshaping competitive chess by emphasizing strategic thinking over rote memorization.

Indian chess fans face disappointment as their grandmasters struggle in the freestyle chess Grand Slam. Despite Arjun Erigaisi's quarterfinal appearance, Gukesh Dommaraju, Vidit Gujrathi, and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa failed to advance. Coach Srinath Narayanan believes it's too early to judge, citing the high level of competition and the need for adaptation to the format.

freestyle chess, created by German entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner and endorsed by Magnus Carlsen, introduces excitement into chess with randomised starting positions and faster gameplay. The tournament has quickly gained traction among top players worldwide, offering a Grand Slam-style point system and open qualifiers. Carlsen’s vision aims to revolutionize and popularize the game globally.

FIDE and freestyle chess ended a long-running dispute over world championship authority by agreeing to stage the first official FIDE freestyle chess World Championship. The conflict began in late 2024 over title rights, sparking public clashes and player concerns. A renewed dialogue in 2025 led to reconciliation, aligning Freestyle’s tour with FIDE governance and creating a unified championship framework.

Magnus Carlsen, the chess maestro, has shattered barriers by exceeding a 2900 rating in freestyle chess, a milestone previously unattained in classical chess. This achievement, based on freestyle chess organization ratings, marks a new high for Carlsen, surpassing his peak classical rating. Among Indian players, Praggnanandhaa shines at fourth place, followed by other notable players like Arjun Erigaisi and Gukesh.

The Indian leg of the freestyle chess Grand Slam, scheduled for September in New Delhi, has been cancelled due to a lack of sponsors. This is a disappointment for fans hoping to see Magnus Carlsen compete in India. CEO Jan Henric Buettner confirmed the move and will step down in July. The next event is in Las Vegas this July.

Chess Olympian Sandipan Chanda supports freestyle chess, highlighting its appeal for top players by removing opening preparation stress, making the game more enjoyable. While he acknowledges concerns about draws in classical chess, Chanda believes it still has potential.

At a meeting in Weissenhaus on Sunday, the freestyle chess Players Club declared the 2025 Grand Slam Tour winner will be titled 'freestyle chess Champion'. The club plans to establish an independent association to protect their interests, challenging FIDE’s restrictive policies. Players are uniting to safeguard their freedom to compete in both Freestyle and FIDE events.

India's Arjun Erigaisi will be the sole Indian representative at the inaugural freestyle chess Grand Slam Finals in South Africa this December. Competing against a star-studded field including Magnus Carlsen, the young Indian prodigy faces a unique challenge in the randomized starting position format. This event promises a blend of intense chess and cultural celebration.

World Champion D Gukesh will not be playing in the Las Vegas leg of the freestyle chess Grand Slam, citing exhaustion after Norway Chess. Vidit Gujrathi will replace him, donning Gukesh’s red jacket. The $750,000 event runs July 16–20 at Wynn Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the India leg in September is cancelled, and Jan Henric Buettner will step down as CEO on July 1.

On April 1, 2025, American grandmaster Hans Niemann posted about his potential arrival in Paris for the second leg of the freestyle chess Grand Slam Tour. However, five days later, he withdrew for 'personal reasons,' disappointing chess fans. Norwegian broadcaster TV 2 suggested heightened anti-cheating protocols influenced his decision. Niemann has been replaced by Nodirbek Abdusattorov.

World champion D Gukesh finished eighth at the freestyle chess Grand Slam after losing to Alireza Firouzja in their seventh-place playoff match. Despite drawing the first game, Gukesh lost the second in 30 moves, concluding a winless tournament. Vincent Keymer, considered a rookie, won the event, which challenges the traditional chess format.

India may lose the opportunity to host the freestyle chess Grand Slam Tour due to a lack of investor support. Organizers are considering alternative venues unless an Indian investor steps forward. Talks with Indian tycoon Anand Mahindra did not yield support as his focus remains on the Global Chess League.

Elite chess is experiencing a surge of "World Championships" with two major announcements: the Total Chess World Championship Tour and the FIDE freestyle chess World Championship. Both promise global reach and significant prize money, leading to comparisons and player confusion. The execution of these ambitious tours will determine their success and impact on the chess landscape.

Nine-year-old Aarit Kapil drew against world champion Magnus Carlsen in an online chess tournament, showcasing his impressive skills. While Aarit competed in Georgia, V Pranav secured first place in the 'Early Titled Tuesday' event. Carlsen also achieved a historic 2900 rating in freestyle chess, surpassing his previous classical peak and demonstrating his dominance in the chess world.