Vladimir Fedoseev Clinches Final Spot in 2025 Weissenhaus Freestyle Chess Grand Slam

In a thrilling series of matches, GM Vladimir Fedoseev secured the last spot in next month’s $750,000 2025 Weissenhaus Freestyle Chess Grand Slam by defeating GM Ian Nepomniachtchi in the Semifinals and then overcoming GM Javokhir Sindarov in a nail-biting Final. The 19-year-old Sindarov managed to hand Fedoseev his only defeat in the Play-In, but Fedoseev fought back and ultimately emerged victorious in the final armageddon game.

Sindarov’s win in the first game of the final marked Fedoseev’s first loss of the qualifying event, but Fedoseev quickly bounced back to secure a crucial win over Sindarov. The intense match went down to the wire, with Fedoseev pulling off an incredible escape in the first blitz game before the showdown reached armageddon. Despite Sindarov gaining a winning Queen vs. Rook endgame from a seemingly lost position, time constraints prevented him from converting the victory, allowing Fedoseev to clinch the spot in the Grand Slam.

The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam is set to kick off in Weissenhaus, Germany on February 7-14, with top players like Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura already invited. Fedoseev’s impressive performance in the Play-In has solidified his place among the elite competitors vying for the prestigious title. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis on this exciting chess event!