Magnus Carlsen Outclasses D Gukesh in Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour Knockout Stage Qualification

The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour witnessed an intense battle between reigning World Champion D Gukesh and world number one Magnus Carlsen in the last match of the round-robin phase. Despite being outclassed by Carlsen, Gukesh managed to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament with 3.5 points after 7 draws and two losses.

In a post-match analysis on the Take Take Take app, Carlsen shared his thoughts on the game, highlighting key moments where he felt Gukesh made critical errors due to lack of experience. Carlsen praised Gukesh’s bravery but pointed out that he took too many chances and ultimately couldn’t hold his position against the seasoned champion.

Freestyle chess, a brainchild of Carlsen and German entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner, is gaining popularity among professional players. The format, also known as Fischer random chess or chess 960, offers a unique challenge with 960 different ways to set up the chessboard.

Carlsen’s comments on classical chess being the “worst way” to measure a player’s skill and his preference for rapid chess as a more “pure” form of the game sparked a debate in the chess community. Gukesh, on the other hand, defended the quality of the World Chess Championship final against Ding Liren and expressed his willingness to challenge Carlsen for the title, a challenge that Carlsen has since declined.

The clash between Gukesh and Carlsen in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour exemplifies the evolving landscape of chess and the fierce competition among top players. As the tournament progresses to the knockout stage, fans can expect more thrilling matches and strategic battles between the best in the game.