Freestyle Chess Grand Slam India Leg Canceled: Sponsorship Shortfall Denies Fans Magnus Carlsen Sighting

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

Jan Henric Buettner, co-founder and CEO of Freestyle Chess, confirmed the news 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."

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

This cancellation is undoubtedly a disappointment for Indian fans, who were eagerly anticipating seeing Carlsen, the world's number one player, compete in the innovative Freestyle Chess format. This format introduces randomized starting positions, emphasizing creativity and strategic thinking over rote memorization of openings.

The Delhi leg was highly anticipated, promising to bring global chess stars to India, a nation currently experiencing a surge in chess talent and international recognition.

Organizers are now actively seeking an alternative location to host an event as part 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, managing the day-to-day operations. Buettner will transition to the role of Executive Chairman, remaining a key stakeholder and focusing on strategic direction.

The Freestyle Chess Tour will continue in the United States. From July 16-20, Wynn Las Vegas will host a $750,000 tournament featuring 16 of the world’s elite chess players. The competition format includes group-stage rapid games followed by knockout rounds with longer time controls. The tournament champion will be awarded $200,000.