The Uncertain Future of Freestyle Chess: D Gukesh’s Chief Coach Raises Questions

The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour kicked off in Germany this month with Vincent Keymer emerging as the victor at Weissenhaus. However, for Indian chess fans, the tournament brought disappointment as reigning world champion D Gukesh struggled to secure a win.

Gukesh, who finished in eighth place, is now facing uncertainty about his future in Freestyle Chess, according to his chief coach Grzegorz Gajewski. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Gajewski expressed concerns about Gukesh’s young age and the need for him to further develop his skills in traditional chess.

“The question is whether you want to adjust and change the way you look at chess, because, if you adapt to this format, it could potentially backfire in the normal version of the game,” Gajewski said. He also questioned the future of the Grand Slam Tour, highlighting the importance of Gukesh’s growth in classical chess.

Gukesh himself has expressed reservations about the future of Freestyle Chess, calling Chess960 an experiment and stating that he doesn’t see it overtaking classical chess. Despite these concerns, Gukesh is set to participate in the upcoming Paris Grand Slam event alongside fellow Indian players Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa.

The controversy surrounding Freestyle Chess escalated earlier this year when FIDE announced that there would be no official recognition for a Freestyle Chess World Championship. This decision led to a public dispute between Freestyle Chess and FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich, with accusations of backtracking from promises of official recognition.

As the debate over the future of Freestyle Chess continues, Gukesh’s participation in the Paris Grand Slam event raises questions about his stance on the format and its potential impact on his career. With the decision on a World Championship still pending, the future of Freestyle Chess remains uncertain.