Viswanathan Anand Withdraws from Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour Event, Javokhir Sindarov to Replace Him

Former world chess champion Viswanathan Anand made headlines once again, but this time not for his impressive chess moves. Anand recently withdrew from the upcoming Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour event, where he was scheduled to face his protege D Gukesh next week.

The five-time world champion’s sudden withdrawal has sparked speculation and controversy within the chess community. Anand, who currently serves as Deputy President at FIDE, the global chess governing body, cited personal reasons for his decision to pull out of the tournament.

The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour event, set to take place at the Weissenhaus Private Nature Luxury Resort in Germany, will still feature top players such as reigning World Chess champion Gukesh and ex-champion Magnus Carlsen. However, Anand’s absence has left a void in the lineup, with 19-year-old chess prodigy Javokhir Sindarov stepping in to replace him.

The withdrawal comes at a time when tensions between FIDE and the organisers of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour are running high. The two organisations are currently embroiled in a dispute over naming rights, particularly regarding the designation of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour winner as a world champion.

According to reports, FIDE allegedly demanded $500,000 annually to allow the event to continue, leading to accusations from players like Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura that the governing body was using threats to control their participation in the tournament.

Despite the controversy surrounding his withdrawal, Anand remains a respected figure in the world of chess. His decision to step back from the upcoming event has only added to the intrigue and drama surrounding the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, leaving fans and players alike wondering what the future holds for the prestigious competition.