Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour Kicks Off Amid Controversy: D Gukesh Speaks Out

The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour kicks off amidst controversy as the world of chess is divided over the recognition of the tournament as a world championship event. The tournament, set to begin on February 7 at the Weissenhaus Resort in Wangels, Germany, has been at the center of a heated debate between Freestyle Chess and FIDE.

In a surprising turn of events, FIDE refused to officially recognize the Freestyle Chess tournament as a world championship, sparking outrage among players and fans alike. This decision led to a public feud between Freestyle Chess, led by Magnus Carlsen, and FIDE, with both sides exchanging open letters and interviews calling for resignations and demanding clarity in the chess world.

Despite the controversy, the tournament organizers have made adjustments to remove any mention of the world championship from their rules and regulations, in an effort to move past the dispute and focus on the competition itself. Reigning World Champion D Gukesh has arrived at the venue and is ready to compete in the tournament.

In a recent interview, Gukesh shared his thoughts on the controversy, stating that he is focused on playing his best chess regardless of the format or tournament status. He also expressed his preference for classical chess over Chess960, the format used in Freestyle tournaments.

The tournament in Germany boasts a star-studded lineup, including top players like Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and Hikaru Nakamura. However, Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand has withdrawn from the event following the controversy and criticism from Carlsen.

As the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour begins, all eyes will be on the players as they compete in this highly anticipated event, hoping to put the recent controversy behind them and showcase their skills on the chessboard.