Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Loses India Leg: Sponsorship Drought Forces Cancellation, Carlsen Absence

Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Loses Indian Leg: Lack of Sponsorship Kills Delhi Event

Magnus Carlsen (Photo Credit: Freestyle Chess/Lennart Ootes)

NEW DELHI: The highly anticipated Indian leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from September 17-24, has been cancelled due to a lack of sponsors. The tournament, which was set to feature chess superstar Magnus Carlsen, will no longer be held in India this year.

Jan Henric Buettner, co-founder and CEO of Freestyle Chess, confirmed the cancellation to TimesofIndia.com. He stated, "We still have the same situation as we’ve had for the past one and a half years. I’ve approached several Indian sponsors, but none have come forward. That’s why we’ve decided to take the event elsewhere."

This cancellation is a major disappointment for Indian chess enthusiasts, who were eagerly awaiting the opportunity to witness Magnus Carlsen, the World No. 1, compete in the innovative Freestyle Chess format. This format distinguishes itself by randomizing starting positions, placing a greater emphasis on creative gameplay and strategic thinking as opposed to memorized opening sequences.

Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Standings

The Delhi leg was projected to attract a host of international chess stars to India, at a time when the nation is experiencing a surge in both chess talent and global recognition within the chess community.

With the Indian leg now off the table, organizers are actively pursuing alternative locations to host an event as part of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam tour.

TimesofIndia.com has also learned that Jan Henric Buettner will be stepping down from his position as CEO of Freestyle Chess on July 1. Thomas Harsch, the current Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role and manage the day-to-day operations. Buettner will transition to the role of Executive Chairman, remaining a significant stakeholder and focusing on strategic direction.

The Freestyle Chess Tour is now setting its sights on the United States. From July 16-20, Wynn Las Vegas will host 16 of the world's leading players in a $750,000 tournament. The competition will feature a group-stage rapid game format followed by knockout rounds with extended time controls. The tournament champion will be awarded a $200,000 prize.