Gukesh, Arjun, Praggnanandhaa and Vidit to face Carlsen and co. at Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 2
Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 2 starts today in Paris, France. This will be the first time the four of five 45th Olympiad Gold medal winning Indian team members - D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi playing the same tournament. Since then, we all know that Gukesh became the 18th World Champion. Richard Rapport ad Nodirbek Abdusattorov have replaced Alireza Firouzja and Hans Niemann who withdrew from the tournament. There will be six rounds of Rapid games played today in the Round-Robin stage and the remaining five will take place tomorrow. The newly-wed Vidit will face Magnus Carlsen in the very first round. Round 1 starts today from 1 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy and IM Sagar Shah
Rapport and Abdusattorov replace Firouzja and Niemann
The second stage of Freestyle Grand Slam Tour expands to twelve players from ten. Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi will be making their Freestyle Chess (over-the-board) debut at this event. Not only that, this will be the first time four out of the five 45th Olympiad Gold medal winning team will be competing in the same tournament. We are guaranteed of them facing at least once in the Round-Robin stage and who knows we might witness a final between two out of the four Indians.
For more photos, please check the album here.
Players
The World no.1 - Magnus Carlsen (NOR), World no.2 and reigning World Fischer Random Champion - Hikaru Nakamura (USA), World no.3 and reigning World Champion - D Gukesh, World no.4 - Arjun Erigaisi, World no.5 - Fabiano Caruana (USA), World no.6 and World Rapid 2021 Champion - Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB), World no.7 - R Praggnanandhaa, World no.9 and World Blitz 2024 cochampion - Ian Nepomniachtchi, World no.23 - Richard Rapport, World no.24 and World Blitz 2021 champion - Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA), World no. 25 and Paris Qualifier winner - Vidit Gujrathi, World no.26 and the winner of the Stage 1 of Freestyle Grand Slam Tour - Vincent Keymer (GER).
Video Gallery
Total prize fund
US$ 750000 per Grand Slam
Format
Time: Rapid and Standard
• Round robin: Rapid 10 minutes for the game + 10 seconds per move
• Knockout stage - Game 1+2 = 90’+30’’ / Game 3+4 = 10’+10’’ / Game 5+6 = 5’+2’’ / Game 7 = Armageddon
Schedule
7th and 8th April: Round-Robin stage - Rapid
9th and 10th April: Quarterfinals - Classical
11th and 12th April: Semifinals and Playoffs for 5th to 8th - Classical
13th and 14th April: Finals - Classical
