Introducing the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour: A Game-Changing Series of Chess960 Tournaments
In a groundbreaking move that is set to revolutionize the world of chess, Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and German entrepreneur Jan-Henric Buettner have announced the launch of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. This ambitious series of Chess960 tournaments will span across five continents and bring together the top players in the chess world.
The inaugural edition of the 2024 Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge saw Carlsen emerge victorious after defeating GM Fabiano Caruana in the final. The tournament garnered a massive worldwide media reach of half a billion, showcasing the growing popularity of this unique chess variant.
The newly formed Freestyle Chess Players Club (FCPC) has been established, with membership open to the 25 players rated higher than 2725 who have a significant international activity level. Notable exclusions from the series include GMs Sergey Karjakin and Veselin Topalov.
Buettner expressed his excitement about the club, stating that all 25 invited players have responded positively and joined the FCPC. The club members will have the opportunity to participate in the upcoming tournaments planned as part of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour.
The tour will feature events in various locations, including India, Germany, the United States, Colombia, South Africa, and Australia. The prize fund for the tournaments will increase with each event, starting at $200,000 for the first event in Weissenhaus and reaching $1 million for subsequent Grand Slam tournaments.
The format of the tournaments will include preliminary rapid rounds followed by a knockout event, with two players who are eliminated joining as commentators for the remaining matches. Buettner aims to make the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam as commercially successful as other iconic sports events, emphasizing the importance of creating recognizable and distinct personalities within the realm of chess.
The response to the inaugural event in Weissenhaus earlier this year was overwhelmingly positive, with a global media reach of over half a billion. Discussions are also underway with FIDE, the world-governing chess body, about potential collaborations for future events.
The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour promises to be a game-changer in the world of chess, attracting top players and captivating audiences worldwide with its innovative format and exciting competition.