Stage set for Magnus-Gukesh 'freestyle' battle in February, Vishy also returns

Even as World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen remains reluctant to challenge freshly crowned world champion D Gukesh for the classical title in two years, battle lines have been drawn for their meeting in just two months. Gukesh has confirmed his participation in the second edition of 'Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge' in Weissenhaus, Germany, from February 9 to 16.

Expectations were high for an immediate meeting between Carlsen and Gukesh ever since the latter triumphed over China's Ding Liren to win the World Chess Championship in Singapore on December 12. Carlsen has repeatedly said he is no longer interested in the classical world championship, which he won five times in a row.

The Norway Chess 2025, scheduled to be held between May 26 and June 6, was widely anticipated as the first potential meeting between Carlsen and Gukesh. However, with Freestyle Chess confirming Gukesh's participation in its showpiece event in February, the wait time has been narrowed for chess fans, especially in India. Gukesh's idol and five-time world champion, Viswanathan Anand, has also confirmed his participation.

Guess what? Gukesh has already beaten Carlsen in 'Freestyle chess'. Gukesh was among the eight players featured in the inaugural edition in February 2024. The 18-year-old Indian made a great start by defeating Carlsen in the first round. In the opening four rounds, he also got the better of Levon Aronian and Ding Liren. Eventually, Carlsen found his mojo and won the event, defeating Caruana in the final. Gukesh finished sixth.

The second edition will feature ten players, of whom nine have been confirmed. Fabiano Caruana (World No. 2), Hikaru Nakamura (#3), Nodirbek Abdusattorov (#6), Alireza Firouzja (#7), Viswanathan Anand (#10), Levon Aronian (#11) and Vincent Keymer (#19) are the other participants. The tenth place has been reserved for a qualifier.

What is freestyle chess?
Freestyle chess, or Chess960 or Fischer Random, is the favourite variant of both Gukesh and Carlsen. Late chess icon Bobby Fischer conceptualised the variant. It involves shuffling pieces on the back ranks, with 960 combinations possible. For example, in a conventional chess position, the rooks are placed on either end, but in Freestyle chess, the rooks might end up in any place along the back rank. Placing pieces in unconventional positions breaks free from theoretical chess, making it more creative and challenging.

The 'Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge' was launched by German entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner in association with Carlsen, who is widely regarded as the 'G.O.A.T' (Greatest Of All Time). Though freestyle chess has been played for years, it was often held as rapid events (short time controls). But the 'Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge' was played in the classical time control (90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment from move 40). Rapid and blitz games are played in the event of a tie.

Though the 'Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge' is not an official FIDE event, the president of the world chess body, Arkady Dvorkovich, has given 'no objection' to the private event. "Players will not be affected in any way. They can decide on their own, and FIDE will not take any negative action," Dvorkovich was quoted by Freestyle Chess.