Freestyle Chess Event in India Canceled; Magnus Carlsen Absence Due to Sponsorship Shortfall

The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam event in New Delhi, India, scheduled for September 17-24, has been cancelled due to a lack of sponsors. This means that chess enthusiasts in India will miss the chance to see Grand Slam leader Magnus Carlsen compete on their home soil.

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, "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 disappointment for Indian chess fans eager to witness Carlsen, the World No. 1, participate in the innovative Freestyle Chess format. This format emphasizes creativity by randomizing starting positions, which moves away from reliance on memorized openings.

The Delhi leg aimed to bring global chess stars to India, especially when the country is seeing a surge in chess talent and gaining international recognition.

Organizers are actively seeking an alternative location to host the event as part of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam tour.

In other news, Jan Henric Buettner will step down as CEO of Freestyle Chess on July 1. Thomas Harsch, the current Chief Operating Officer, will assume the CEO role, managing the company's daily operations. Buettner will transition to Executive Chairman, remaining a key stakeholder while focusing on strategic initiatives.

The Freestyle Chess Tour will continue in the United States, with Wynn Las Vegas hosting a $750,000 tournament from July 16-20. Sixteen of the world’s best players will compete in a format featuring group-stage rapid games and knockout rounds with longer time controls. The winner will receive $200,000.