Freestyle Chess India Leg Canceled Due to Sponsorship Issues; Carlsen to Miss Delhi Event

The highly anticipated Indian leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, slated to take place in New Delhi from September 17th to 24th, has been called off due to a lack of sponsorship. This cancellation means that chess enthusiasts in India will miss the opportunity to witness Magnus Carlsen, the current Grand Slam leader, in action on their home soil.

Jan Henric Buettner, co-founder and CEO of Freestyle Chess, confirmed the news. "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," Buettner stated.

This cancellation is undoubtedly a disappointment for Indian chess fans. They were eager to see Carlsen, the world's number one player, demonstrate his skills in the innovative Freestyle Chess format. This format distinguishes itself by randomizing the starting positions of pieces, thus placing a premium on creativity and adaptability, rather than rote memorization of openings.

The Delhi event was envisioned as a platform to showcase global chess talent in India, a nation currently experiencing a surge in both chess prowess and international recognition within the chess community.

Despite the setback, organizers are actively exploring alternative locations to host an event as part of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam tour.

In related news, Jan Henric Buettner will be stepping down from his position as CEO of Freestyle Chess, effective July 1st. Thomas Harsch, the current Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of CEO and manage the company's daily operations. Buettner will transition to the role of Executive Chairman, remaining a key stakeholder and focusing on strategic initiatives.

Looking ahead, the Freestyle Chess Tour is set to continue in the United States.

From July 16th to 20th, Wynn Las Vegas will host 16 of the world’s elite chess players in a high-stakes tournament with a prize pool of $750,000. The competition will feature a group stage with rapid games, followed by knockout rounds with extended time controls. The ultimate winner will be awarded a substantial $200,000 prize.