Major Changes Announced for Next Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour Event

The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour is set to undergo some radical changes in its next event, thanks to the influence of former world champion Magnus Carlsen and his father Henric Carlsen. Jan Henric Buettner, the man behind the tour, announced on the official broadcast that the upcoming event will feature 45-minute games with a 10-second increment per move, a significant departure from the previous 90-minute games with a 30-second increment.

Buettner explained that the decision to shorten the games was made in an effort to attract more sponsors and audience members, as it can be challenging to maintain interest in a four-hour game. Magnus Carlsen himself advocated for the change, citing the players’ increased level of skill and efficiency.

In addition to the shorter games, the format of the event will also be condensed from an eight-day format to a five-day event, with both legs of a round being played on the same day. This change will have implications for players like Gukesh, who have struggled in faster time control games.

Furthermore, the next event of the tour will be held in Las Vegas instead of New York, with live audience members in attendance for the games. To address last-minute withdrawals by players, the tour will also name two standby players for each event.

Overall, these changes promise to make the next Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour event a more dynamic and engaging experience for players and spectators alike.