Vidit Gujrathi Qualifies for 2025 Paris Freestyle Chess Grand Slam After Impressive Wins

The chess world was set abuzz as GM Vidit Gujrathi secured his spot in the prestigious 2025 Paris Freestyle Chess Grand Slam after defeating GMs Amin Tabatabaei and Richard Rapport in a thrilling final qualifier. Vidit’s impressive performance on the final day of the Play-In event earned him the 12th and final spot in the $750,000 tournament, where he will join other Indian stars like World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, Arjun Erigaisi, and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu.

Vidit’s journey to victory was filled with unexpected twists and turns, as he admitted to not practicing chess for the last few months leading up to the tournament. Despite this, he showcased his exceptional skills and determination, securing match victories with a near-perfect score of 6.5/8. His success in the Freestyle format, where players can simply show up and play, highlighted his adaptability and resilience.

The timing of Vidit’s triumph is particularly significant, as he revealed that he will be getting married in early April, just days before the Paris event. With his honeymoon now set to take place in Paris, Vidit expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious tournament.

As Vidit prepares for the upcoming challenges in Paris, he remains focused on enjoying the positive emotions surrounding his wedding and using them as motivation for his games. His remarkable performance against top-tier opponents like Tabatabaei and Rapport has solidified his place among the elite players in the chess world.

With his spot secured in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, Vidit’s fans eagerly await his next moves on the chessboard as he continues to make waves in the competitive chess scene.