
The main series begins on the picturesque Baltic coast in Weissenhaus! A week full of freestyle action, paired with the breathtaking backdrop of the coast.
As the WEISSENHAUS Freestyle tournament approaches, much of the attention is on established stars like Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Gukesh D. But among the participants is a player who could shake up the competition: Vladimir Fedoseev.
Despite being a well-respected grandmaster and the reigning European Chess960 champion, Fedoseev has remained outside the spotlight of the broader chess audience for most of his career. Now, after winning the Freestyle qualification event, he is ready to take on the world’s best in a format that rewards creativity and adaptability, a format that may suit him especially well. Fedoseev is known for his dynamic and unpredictable play, often steering games into fresh, unexplored territory. His ability to create problems for his opponents in unfamiliar positions has even earned praise from Magnus Carlsen. Could he be the breakout star of WEISSENHAUS?
Currently, Fedoseev competes in the Tata Steel Chess in Wijk an Zee. In this interview, conducted on his rest day, Fedoseev reflects on his recent form, his unique playing style, and what it means to compete in one of the most anticipated tournaments of the year. He also discusses his move to Munich, his collaboration with the Slovenian Chess Federation, and his ambitions for the future.
Vladimir Fedoseev won the online qualifier for the kick-off of the 2025 Freestyle Grand Slam.
Vladimir, in the star-studded WEISSENHAUS tournament, you will be a dark horse for many observers. Chess fans know you, but the broader public is more familiar with the big names like Magnus Carlsen, Gukesh, or Hikaru Nakamura.
Fedoseev: Yes, of course, these names are much better known than mine. I understand that, even though I’ve had some major successes in my career. But I haven’t been an elite player—I’m just someone who has been around for a long time and may have been performing well recently. That’s chess—it can change quickly. When you reach the top, you have to defend your position, and that might be even harder than getting there in the first place.
Things are going quite well for you in Wijk aan Zee.
I’m especially happy with the experience I’m gaining here. So far, I’ve had ten hard-fought games against very strong opposition—not a single easy one. That’s certainly interesting for those who watch, and I truly enjoy competing with the best players in the world. Playing against the very best gives me more joy than anything else in chess.
Magnus Carlsen recently said about you: “Vladimir is difficult to play against. He has very good technique.”
That’s a big compliment coming from Magnus. He has been the best player in the world for many years. If someone like him says you are a unique player with strong technique, it means a lot to me.
Carlsen also remarked that you play chess a little differently than other top grandmasters. Can you relate to that assessment?
Maybe my style is somewhat similar to Vladimir Kramnik’s earlier years when he simply looked for playable positions. Some also say my play has a Fischer Random or Freestyle element. I try to create unique situations. But I can also play highly theoretical chess, as my game against Nodirbek Abdusattorov showed—30 moves of preparation. Still, I prefer to play fighting chess and put all my energy into the game. Right now, I enjoy playing against the best players so much that I might even be over-fighting. I know that this attitude can occasionally backfire, and I may adjust it eventually, but for now, it makes my games exciting for everyone involved—including the fans.
You are the reigning European Chess960 champion and won the Freestyle qualification for WEISSENHAUS. Is Chess960 a particular strength of yours?
Yes and no. I’m good at it, maybe because I’ve tried so many different openings in traditional chess. I’ve played nearly every opening as both Black and White. That helps me recognize patterns, which in turn benefits my Freestyle Chess. In the European Championship, I started with ten wins in a row against strong opponents like Navara and Korobov. With a draw in the 11th round, I missed the chance to score a perfect 11/11, like Bobby Fischer did in the 1963/64 U.S. Championship. But I felt like I was completely dominating in this format, even against strong players who would give me a tough fight in traditional chess. Freestyle felt easier for me against them.
In just a few days, you’ll face even tougher opponents in the Freestyle Grand Slam.
We’ll see what happens. I’ve never played classical Freestyle Chess before, I don’t know how well-prepared the others are. Some have probably been preparing for months while I have just recently qualified. It will be a challenge.
How does preparation for Freestyle Chess work? You can’t memorize openings.
Some players may have discovered optimal ways to develop certain pieces in specific types of positions. They may have researched fundamental principles for this type of chess and discovered new patterns. We’ll see how that plays out.
You represent Slovenia, have lived in Spain, and recently moved to Munich. Apparently, you travel more than most people.
I moved to Munich to travel less! My coach, Roman Vidonyak, lives there, and we hold many training camps at the FC Bayern Munich campus. Also, moving to Munich brings me closer to Slovenia. After I left Russia, the Slovenian Chess Federation contacted me immediately and has been very supportive ever since. I’m proud of our collaboration. Over the past year and a half, I’ve spent more than 50 days in Slovenia. Before coming to Munich, I lived in Spain for two and a half years, but switching federations to Spain would have meant pushing my friend Daniil Yuffa out of Spain’s national team (laughs).
What are your plans for this year?
I plan to play in the Grand Swiss and the World Cup, aiming to qualify for the Candidates Tournament. I also want to compete in the Rapid and Blitz World Championships. And, of course, I would love to play as many games as possible against Magnus, Hikaru, or Levon in the Freestyle environment. Hopefully, I can participate in more Grand Slam tournaments this year.
Vladimir Fedoseev in Wijk an Zee. | Photo: Lennart Ootes