Freestyle Chess Founder Jan Henric Buettner Ready to Take FIDE to Court Over World Championship Title Dispute

The chess world is currently embroiled in a heated battle between German entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner, the head of Freestyle Chess, and the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The conflict stems from FIDE’s threats of legal action against Freestyle Chess for planning to crown a ‘world champion’ without FIDE’s approval.

Buettner has fired back at FIDE, calling their demands for $500,000 for the rights to use the world championship title “blackmail.” He has vowed to take the case to court, stating that FIDE’s actions are “ridiculous” and “stupid.”

The tension between the two parties has escalated, with FIDE releasing a statement threatening legal action if Freestyle Chess proceeds with their planned tournaments in 2025. Buettner, along with co-founder Magnus Carlsen, has raised $12 million for the ambitious Grand Slam project, which aims to revolutionize the world of chess with a new Chess960 tour.

Despite attempts to negotiate with FIDE, Buettner remains defiant, stating that FIDE cannot stop them from organizing the tournaments. He believes that FIDE’s strategy will backfire and lead to top players uniting against them, potentially causing the organization to fall apart.

FIDE has denied accusations of ‘blackmail’ and defended their position, stating that players voluntarily signed contracts prohibiting participation in unsanctioned world championships. The chess governing body maintains that their opposition to Freestyle Chess’ use of the “world championship” title is not driven by financial demands but by the need for formal recognition as the governing body.

The conflict between Freestyle Chess and FIDE is set to continue, with both parties standing their ground. As the chess world watches on, the outcome of this battle could have far-reaching implications for the future of the sport.