Gukesh & Carlsen Set for High-Stakes Freestyle Chess 2025 Battle

 

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and reigning FIDE World Champion D Gukesh met on Friday ahead of their much-anticipated showdown on February 8.

 

Mixed Start for Both Players

 

Gukesh, India’s top-ranked chess player, had a tough opening day at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, managing only three draws and one loss. Carlsen also had an inconsistent start, securing two wins but suffering two defeats.

 

Carlsen Eyes Victory Over Young Challengers

 

Speaking about the tournament, Carlsen expressed his excitement about facing Gukesh, the classical world champion. "I always look forward to playing strong opponents, especially the younger generation like Gukesh and Hikaru Nakamura. This time, I’ll be pushing harder to win," he said, as quoted by ChessBase India.

 

What is Freestyle Chess?

 

Freestyle Chess, co-founded by Carlsen and German entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner, is a modern take on Fischer Random Chess (also known as Chess 960). Unlike traditional chess, where pieces start in a fixed position, Freestyle Chess randomizes their placement, leading to 960 possible starting setups. While it adds excitement and unpredictability, Gukesh believes it won’t replace classical chess, stating, "960 is fun to experiment with, but the Classical World Chess Championship will always be more important."

 

Carlsen vs. Gukesh: A Rivalry in the Making?

 

Carlsen has been vocal about his views on classical chess, previously calling it the "worst way" to measure a player’s skill, favoring rapid chess instead. He even downplayed Gukesh’s World Championship match against Ding Liren, comparing it to an early-round open tournament game. However, Gukesh took it in stride, admitting that while the match had its flaws, it was still a competitive battle.