Exciting Semifinals Set for 2025 Paris Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Play-In!

The 2025 Paris Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Play-In has been nothing short of thrilling, with GMs Vidit Gujrathi, Amin Tabatabaei, Rauf Mamedov, and Richard Rapport emerging as the final four players in the Semifinals after a grueling two rounds of knockout chess. The competition saw 12 players, including big names like Ding Liren, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Levon Aronian, being eliminated in the fight for the final spot in Paris.

In the Semifinals set to start on Friday, March 14, at 11:00 ET / 16:00 CET / 8:30 p.m. IST, Vidit Gujrathi will face off against Amin Tabatabaei, while Rauf Mamedov will take on Richard Rapport. The quarterfinal matches leading up to this point were filled with intense action and surprising outcomes.

Vidit Gujrathi showcased his dominance by defeating Pranesh M in a 1.5-0.5 victory, while Amin Tabatabaei secured his spot in the Semifinals with a 1.5-0.5 win over Leinier Dominguez. Rauf Mamedov’s brilliant play earned him a 1.5-0.5 victory against Liem Le, and Richard Rapport’s creative style led to a 2-0 triumph over Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.

With only four players remaining in the running for the final spot in the Paris Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, the competition is heating up. The remaining quarterfinalists will also compete for 5th to 8th places and extra prize money. Chess enthusiasts can catch all the action live on Chess.com as the players battle it out for a chance to join the likes of Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura in the prestigious tournament in Paris.

The $750,000 2nd leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam is scheduled to take place in Paris, France, on April 7-14, with 11 players already invited and one spot up for grabs in the Play-In. The tournament features a unique format of freestyle chess, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition. Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of this thrilling event.