Despite being closely ranked in the latest FIDE ratings—Magnus Carlsen at No. 1 and D Gukesh at No. 3—the two grandmasters are experiencing vastly different trajectories in the ongoing Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour.

The Norwegian chess master continues to prove why he's the king across formats, while Gukesh, the reigning Classical World Champion, has found the innovative Freestyle format a tough puzzle to crack.

Magnus Carlsen is a Freestyle Chess Force

Magnus Carlsen Shares His Thoughts on Gukesh’s Freestyle Struggles Magnus Carlsen Shares His Thoughts on Gukesh’s Freestyle Struggles
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According to Forbes, Carlsen's journey through the Grand Slam Tour has been impressive. He reached the semi-finals in the first leg held in Weissenhaus and followed it up with a dominating title win in the second leg in Paris.

The 34-year-old athlete's adaptability and strategic brilliance allowed him to outmaneuver top-tier opponents, including Vincent Keymer. the Weissenhaus champion, as well as Indian prodigies Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa.

Carlsen's ability to transition seamlessly from classical to freestyle formats speaks volumes about his versatility. With the Grand Slam Tour pushing the boundaries of traditional chess, Carlsen's consistent top-tier performances have positioned him as the early favorite for the overall title.

Gukesh's Freestyle Chess Struggles Continue

In contrast, D Gukesh has failed to gain momentum in the Freestyle Chess circuit. His campaign began on a disappointing note at Weissenhaus, where he failed to register a single win and finished eighth out of ten.

The Paris leg did little to reverse his fortunes, despite breaking his winless streak with victories over strong opponents, Gukesh still failed to make it past the round-robin stage.

In a tough playoff for the 9th-12th spot, Gukesh lost to Richard Rapport, ultimately tying for last place with fellow Indian Vidit Gujrathi.

Carlsen Not Surprised by Gukesh's Early Struggles

When asked whether Gukesh's underwhelming performance surprised him, Carlsen's response was candid and insightful.

"No," Carlsen stated plainly. "I think we've had three out of three events that have been difficult for him. I'm sure he will grasp things better at some point. But for the moment, it's not close."

Carlsen's remarks underscore the steep learning curve that the Freestyle format demands, even from top-ranked classical players. His confidence in Gukesh's long-term potential, however, suggests that the chess world may see a more competitive Gukesh in the future legs of the tour.

Rising Stars: Erigaisi Impresses, 'Pragg' Climb the Ranks

While Gukesh and Gujrathi struggled, Arjun Erigaisi emerged as a standout performer. Making his debut in the Freestyle format, the world No. 4 impressed everyone by finishing fourth in the round-robin stage and ending the Paris leg in fifth overall.

His performance showcased tactical depth and comfort in the faster, more unpredictable Freestyle format.

R Praggnanandhaa, though not in top form, managed to secure ninth place after a victory over Richard Rapport, showing signs of improvement that could bode well for upcoming matches.

The next leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour is scheduled for July and will take place in Las Vegas after organizers decided to shift the venue from New York City.

In the ongoing 2025 Grenke Chess Freestyle Open, Carlsen remains undefeated after seven rounds.