Lack of Investor Interest Puts India’s Hosting of World Chess Champion at Risk

India’s hopes of hosting the reigning World Chess Champion D Gukesh in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour are in jeopardy due to a lack of investor interest, according to exclusive information obtained by TimesofIndia.com. With no confirmed financial backing, tournament organizers are now considering alternative venues for the 2025 edition.

In an interview with TimesofIndia.com, Freestyle Chess co-founder Jan Henric Buettner hinted that India could be dropped from the tournament calendar if a suitable investor does not step forward soon. Currently, New Delhi is listed as the host city for the fourth leg of the tour, but Buettner made it clear that the venue will be changed if a better offer comes along.

“We are receiving offers from other cities offering hosting fees. If we get a significant offer from another location, we will go there,” Buettner stated. The 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour is set to kick off in Germany next week, with the world’s top chess players, including Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Fabiano Caruana, competing.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Indian leg of the tour, FIDE and Freestyle Chess are in discussions to potentially turn the September tournament into an open event. Buettner revealed that he had reached out to Indian business tycoon Anand Mahindra for support, but Mahindra’s focus is currently on the Global Chess League.

As the reigning World Chess Champion, Gukesh is guaranteed participation across all venues during the tour. The tournament roster will see changes throughout the year, with players qualifying through ELO rankings, wildcard entries, and direct invitations, promising an exciting competition for chess fans worldwide.