Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Snub: Lack of Sponsorship Forces India Leg Cancellation, Carlsen Absence Confirmed

India Loses Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Event Due to Lack of Sponsorship

The Indian leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, originally slated to take place in New Delhi from September 17-24, has been cancelled due to insufficient sponsorship. This means that the tournament, which was set to feature Magnus Carlsen, the current leader in the Grand Slam standings, will not be held in India this year.

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

Jan Henric Buettner, co-founder and CEO of Freestyle Chess, confirmed the cancellation to TimesofIndia.com, stating, "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 represents a disappointment for Indian chess enthusiasts, who were eagerly anticipating the opportunity to witness World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen participate in the innovative Freestyle Chess format. This format distinguishes itself by randomizing the starting positions of pieces, thereby placing a greater premium on creativity and strategic thinking rather than rote memorization of traditional opening sequences.

Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Standings

The New Delhi event was expected to draw a constellation of global chess stars to India, a nation that is currently experiencing a surge in both chess talent and international recognition within the chess world.

Organizers are now actively searching for an alternative location to host the event as part of the ongoing Freestyle Chess Grand Slam tour.

In related news, TimesofIndia.com has learned that Jan Henric Buettner will be stepping down from his role as CEO of Freestyle Chess, effective July 1. Thomas Harsch, the current Chief Operating Officer, will assume the CEO position, managing the daily operations of the organization. Buettner will transition to the role of Executive Chairman, remaining a significant stakeholder within the company and concentrating on strategic oversight.

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

From July 16-20, the Wynn Las Vegas will host 16 of the world's leading chess players in a tournament with a prize pool of $750,000. The competition will feature a group-stage followed by knockout rounds, utilizing both rapid games and matches with longer time controls. The tournament champion will be awarded a grand prize of $200,000.