The 2025 Grenke Chess Freestyle Open is heating up in Karlsruhe, Germany, just days after the Paris leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour concluded. World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen even commented on Gukesh's struggles in freestyle chess, but the drama did not end here.
And if the star-studded lineup of Carlsen, Vincent Keymer and Fabiano Caruana wasn't enough, a 10-year-old chess prodigy is stealing the spotlight with his latest statement — both on and off the board.
Magnus Carlsen Sails Through an Unblemished 9-0 Record
After claiming the Paris Grand Slam title, Magnus Carlsen arrived at Grenke in top form, showing no signs of fatigue. The Norwegian Grandmaster has been unstoppable in Karlsruhe, securing eight straight victories heading into the final round.
Carlsen, who has faced notable setbacks in the Grand Slam circuit — including a semi-final loss to Vincent Keymer and a defeat to Arjun Erigaisi in Paris — seems determined to silence any doubters by clinching a perfect 9.0 score at Grenke.
Arjun Erigaisi and Fabiano Caruana Add Star Power
World No. 4 Arjun Erigaisi continues to make headlines, building momentum after a solid Freestyle debut in France. Meanwhile, Fabiano Caruana, runner-up at Weissenhaus, brings his signature consistency and deep opening preparation to the mix.
Freestyle Chess is rapidly becoming the go-to format for elite players looking to push the limits of creativity and precision.
Hans Niemann Returns After Controversial Withdrawal
Adding more intrigue, American GM Hans Niemann finally rejoined the tour after mysteriously withdrawing from the Paris leg without explanation. His return has fueled speculation but also revived interest among fans eager to see how he performs under pressure.
Though not a frontrunner this time around, Niemann's presence continues to make noise in the Freestyle circuit.
Meet Ivan Kukushkin: The 10-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Shaking Up the Scene
Stealing hearts and headlines is Ivan Kukushkin, a 10-year-old sensation from Bulgaria with a FIDE rating of 2030. According to FirstPost, the young talent made waves by defeating International Masters Georg Seul and Shiyam Thavandiran in back-to-back rounds.
In his game against Thavandiran, Ivan even pointed out an illegal rook move, showing not only talent but also a sharp presence of mind.
In a post-match interview with ChessBase India, Ivan confidently stated, "I can beat Magnus. Everybody can beat Magnus. He's not a computer. He makes mistakes."
The youngster even analyzed a "bad move" by Carlsen in a previous round — a fearless critique of the world's best.
Stay tuned — history might be made in Karlsruhe.
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