Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Heads to Paris with Star-Studded Lineup

PARIS, France — The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025 is set to captivate chess enthusiasts as it lands in Paris from April 7 to 14, showcasing twelve of the world’s top grandmasters vying for the title at the iconic Pavillon Chesnaie du Roy. This marks the second Grand Slam event of the year, following an exciting debut in Weissenhaus.

With a prize pool of $750,000, including $200,000 for the champion, the tournament promises high-stakes competition for both players and fans alike. The event’s unique format features an initial two-day round-robin phase followed by a knockout stage, all utilizing classical time controls.

Currently, eleven players are confirmed for the event, with the final participant to be determined through an online qualification event. Notable names include reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, world number one Magnus Carlsen, and chess celebrity Hikaru Nakamura.

“This year’s tournament features a remarkable lineup, bringing some of the finest grandmasters together,” said Sebastian Siebrecht, Chief Chess Officer of Freestyle Chess. “We’re excited to see who will take the coveted 12th spot and how this will affect the competition in Paris.”

Among the confirmed participants, FIDE rated players include Fabiano Caruana, Vincent Keymer, Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa R., Hans Niemann, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Alireza Firouzja, and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Keymer, who performed spectacularly in Weissenhaus, will also receive backing from local fans.

Following the Paris tournament, the tour continues to Karlsruhe, Germany, from April 17 to 21, further enhancing the excitement as players compete for another $225,000 prize pool. The winner in Karlsruhe will earn a place in the subsequent Grand Slam event in the United States, set for July 17-24.

Freestyle Chess, co-founded by Magnus Carlsen, distinguishes itself by randomizing back-rank starting positions, fostering a fresh landscape in chess that encourages creativity and strategic depth. The format’s rapid growth and popularity were evident at the kickoff event held in February.

“The reach of our initial event exceeded expectations, demonstrating the community’s passion for Freestyle Chess,” Siebrecht added.