Freestyle Chess in Las Vegas – with Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann

Press release Freestyle Chess, Las Vegas, NV – June 24, 2025

Featuring Tour Leader Magnus Carlsen and Late Qualifier Hans Niemann
One-of-a-Kind Chess Event Lands in Las Vegas
16 Stars to Compete in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam

Freestyle Chess is based on Chess960, also known as Fischer Random. Before each game, the back-rank piece setup is randomized from 960 possible starting positions—rendering opening theory useless and placing the emphasis on original thinking and adaptability. The goal is to bring chess closer to a true spectator sport: dynamic, tense, and visually accessible.

The Players

The full field for Las Vegas is now confirmed, featuring tour leader and world number one Magnus Carlsen (Norway), world number two Hikaru Nakamura (USA), and rising stars such as Arjun Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa R (both India). Hans Niemann (USA) secured the final spot by winning the online qualifier.

Participants by Freestyle Rating:

Players are split into two eight-player round-robin groups, playing rapid games (10 minutes + 10 seconds increment) on opening day. The top four in each group advance to the quarterfinal knockout bracket, while the bottom four move to the lower bracket. Knockout matches are played as two-game duels with a longer time control (30 minutes + 30 seconds). This unique structure ensures that every match carries direct consequences.

The final will be played on July 20. A total of $750,000 in prize money will be awarded, with $200,000 going to the winner.

More Than a Tournament: The Chesstival by Freestyle Chess and Derrick Rose

Three days before the Grand Slam, Freestyle Chess will launch another first: the Freestyle Chesstival, a charity event pairing NBA stars with chess grandmasters in a light-hearted but competitive showdown.

Taking place on July 13, the Chesstival features two events:

• Head & Hand – NBA players team up with grandmasters, moving the pieces on verbal cues from their partners.
• NBA Blitz Championship – Basketball stars face off directly for the unofficial title of NBA’s Chess King.

The Chesstival includes a $50,000 charity prize fund, with winnings donated to organizations selected by the players.

Live Experience at Wynn Las Vegas

Hosted in the 50,000-square-foot Lafite Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas, both the Grand Slam and Chesstival are open to the public. Tickets for the Grand Slam start at $90, with options for VIP access and private booths including player meet-and-greets. For the first time, fans can experience Freestyle Chess as a live entertainment event, complete with arena lighting, silent commentary headsets, and immersive broadcast technology.

Freestyle Chess is supported by a $20 million investment and co-founded by Magnus Carlsen and entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner. Following stops in Weissenhaus, Paris, and Karlsruhe, Las Vegas is the fourth event of the 2025 tour. The series will conclude with the final in Cape Town, South Africa, where the first-ever Freestyle Chess Champion will be crowned.

A press conference with Magnus Carlsen will be held on July 13 at 1:00 PM, in the Lafite Ballroom at Wynn Las Vegas.

For media inquiries and accreditation requests, please contact:
media@freestyle-chess.com
freestyle-chess.com

Media contact:

Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour
Freestyle Chess Players Club
Freestyle Chess Academy

Hock und Partner – Beratungsgesellschaft für Marketing und Kommunikation mbH
Till Behrend
Rothenbaumchaussee 1
D-20148 Hamburg
T: +49 (0) 40 413 228-0
M: +49 (0) 151 4231 7721
t.behrend@hock-partner.de
media@freestyle-chess.com
www.freestyle-chess.com