Make your best moves in the heart of Karlsruhe – where innovation meets tradition, and Freestyle Chess brings a fresh twist to the royal game.
Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Kicks Off in Paris
Will Keymer defend his crown against the world’s best?
Rapport, Abdusattorov replace Firouzja, Niemann
Paris, April 7 – 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.”
Press conference host Fiona Steil-Antoni on stage with (from left) Magnus Carlsen, Jan Henric Buettner and Thomas Harsch. | Photo: Stev Bonhage/Freestyle Chess
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Two late changes add extra intrigue: French number one Alireza Firouzja and wildcard Hans Niemann have withdrawn.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.
