Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Loses India Leg: Sponsorship Issues Sideline Magnus Carlsen

The New Delhi leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, initially scheduled for September 17-24, has been called off due to a lack of sponsorship. This cancellation means that chess enthusiasts in India will miss the opportunity to see Magnus Carlsen, the current Grand Slam leader, compete on Indian soil.

Jan Henric Buettner, co-founder and CEO of Freestyle Chess, confirmed the news to TimesofIndia.com. He stated that despite approaching numerous Indian sponsors over the past year and a half, none have committed to supporting the event. As a result, the decision was made to relocate the tournament.

Buettner explained, “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.”

Carlsen currently holds the top position in the Freestyle Chess Championship standings with 65 points. Following him are American GM Fabiano Caruana and Vincent Keymer, winner of the German leg. India’s Arjun Erigaisi is currently in sixth place with 16 points.

The cancellation is a disappointment for Indian chess fans. They were eager to witness Carlsen, the World No. 1, participate in the innovative Freestyle Chess format. This format emphasizes creativity over rote memorization of openings by randomizing the starting positions of pieces.

The Delhi leg was anticipated to attract global chess stars to India, especially at a time when the nation is witnessing a surge in chess talent and recognition on the international stage.

With the Indian leg now canceled, organizers are actively seeking an alternative location to maintain the integrity of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam tour.

In related news, TimesofIndia.com has learned that Jan Henric Buettner will step down from his role as CEO of Freestyle Chess on July 1. Thomas Harsch, the current Chief Operating Officer, will assume the CEO position and manage the company's daily operations. Buettner will transition to the role of Executive Chairman, remaining a key stakeholder and focusing on strategic initiatives.

The next event on the Freestyle Chess Tour is scheduled to take place in the United States.

From July 16-20, Wynn Las Vegas will host 16 of the world’s leading chess players in a tournament boasting a $750,000 prize pool. The format will consist of rapid games during the group stage, followed by knockout rounds with longer time controls. The tournament champion will receive a $200,000 grand prize.