Magnus Carlsen Launches $750,000 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Weissenhaus, Rules Out Cooperation with FIDE

The chess world is abuzz with excitement as GM Magnus Carlsen launches the $750,000 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Weissenhaus, a tournament that promises to showcase the best players in the world. However, amidst the anticipation of thrilling matchups, Carlsen has made it clear that he will not be cooperating with FIDE and its current administration.

In a recent interview, Carlsen expressed his disdain for FIDE, stating that his relationship with the governing body is irreparably damaged. He has ruled out any future cooperation with FIDE, including participation in events such as the World Rapid & Blitz Championships. This decision marks a significant shift for Carlsen, who has been a dominant force in classical chess for years.

Despite the controversy surrounding his stance on FIDE, Carlsen insists that his new Freestyle Chess project is not an attempt to undermine classical chess. He believes that the tournament series will provide a platform for the best players in the world to compete for substantial prize money and be crowned world champion.

The launch of the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam has not been without its share of drama, with tensions between Carlsen, co-founder Jan Henric Buettner, and FIDE coming to a head. Negotiations between the parties have broken down, leading to a temporary solution for the tour to proceed as a standard Grand Slam.

As the chess world eagerly awaits the start of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Weissenhaus, all eyes will be on Carlsen as he faces off against top players like Hikaru Nakamura and Gukesh Dommaraju. Despite the controversy surrounding the tournament, fans can expect a week of intense competition and thrilling chess action.