Freestyle Chess Players Form Independent Association to Represent Interests Against Fide

In a bold move, twelve members of the Freestyle Chess Players Club, including reigning world champion D Gukesh, have decided to form an independent players association to represent their interests in response to clashes with Fide, the international chess federation.

The decision was made during a meeting following the first day of the quarterfinals of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Weissenhaus, Germany. The players, along with Freestyle Chess organizer Jan Buettner, agreed to temporarily avoid using the term “world” in their events to counter Fide’s claims of ownership over the word.

According to a statement issued by Freestyle Chess, the players were prompted to take this action after Fide demanded that they sign a document acknowledging an alleged obligation not to compete in non-Fide events crowning a World Champion or similar title. The players, some of whom are teenagers, were given an inconvenient deadline and no chance for legal counsel to review the demand.

Jan Buettner expressed outrage at Fide’s coercive tactics, stating that the players should have the right to choose which events to participate in without fear of reprisal from the federation. The players unanimously agreed to ignore Fide’s demands and stand up for their freedom to compete in exciting new events without being forced to choose between them and future Fide participation.

Moving forward, the players will be represented by a qualified legal team as they navigate this challenging situation. The title of “Freestyle Chess Champion” will apply for the 2025 season, with discussions planned for the 2026 tour and title at stake.

This bold move by the Freestyle Chess Players Club members, led by D Gukesh, showcases their determination to protect their rights and autonomy in the world of chess. It will be interesting to see how this independent players association will impact the future of the sport and their relationship with Fide.