Freestyle Chess India Event Scrapped Due to Sponsorship Issues; Carlsen Absence Confirmed

The Indian leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, initially scheduled to take place in New Delhi from 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 Grand Slam leader, in action on their home soil.

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

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."

This cancellation represents a significant disappointment for Indian chess fans. They were eagerly anticipating the chance to witness Carlsen, the world's top-ranked player, compete in the innovative Freestyle Chess format. This format distinguishes itself by randomizing the starting positions of pieces, which puts a greater emphasis on creative play and adaptability rather than the memorization of opening sequences.

The New Delhi event was poised to attract a host of international chess stars to India, a nation that is currently experiencing a surge in chess talent and gaining increased global recognition in the chess world.

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

In other news, TimesofIndia.com has learned that Jan Henric Buettner will be stepping down from his role as CEO of Freestyle Chess, effective July 1st.

Thomas Harsch, the current Chief Operating Officer, will assume the position of CEO, taking over the management of day-to-day operations. Buettner will transition to the role of Executive Chairman, remaining a key stakeholder and focusing on strategic direction for the company.

The Freestyle Chess Tour will continue, with the next event scheduled to be held in the United States.

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