Levon Aronian wins Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Las Vegas, Magnus Carlsen third

Shahid AhmedJuly 22, 20252 min read

Garry Kasparov once famously said that the chess world is a better place when Levon Aronian is playing well. The universally loved, gentleman of the sport defeated Hans Niemann 0.5-1.5 in the Finals to win the match and tournament. Thus, Hans secured second place. There is a reason the maestro has won the FIDE World Cup twice and no one else has managed to repeat his feat. Magnus Carlsen also won his third place match with the same score against Hikaru Nakamura. Thus, Magnus finished third on the podium. If he decides to play the World Cup later this year and defend his crown, perhaps he can have a legitimate claim to tie Aronian's record, unless someone else makes a move towards the World Cup crown. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Everyone needed only two games each on the final day

Levon Aronian won US$ 200000, Hans Niemann $140000 and Magnus Carlsen $100000 each respectively.

Champion - GM Levon Aronian (USA)

Interview with Levon Aronian and his better half, Ani | Video: ChessBase India

Runner-up - GM Hans Niemann (USA)

Second Runner-up - GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR)

Niemann - Aronian: 0.5-1.5

Hans Niemann (USA) missed a good chance to push for a win in the first game. Levon Aronian got the better of Hans in the second game to win the Final and the tournament.

Levon Aronian vs Hans Niemann, Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

Levon Aronian en route his win in the second game

Carlsen - Nakamura: 1.5-0.5

Magnus Carlsen (NOR) won the second game with the black pieces to win the match and finish third

Fans in attendance

For more photos, please click here.

Replay live stream

Replay Final games live commentary by IM Sagar Shah, Amruta Mokal and GM Harshit Raja | Video: ChessBase India

Replay Intermediate Stage 2 games live commentary by IM Sagar Shah, Amruta Mokal and GM Harshit Raja | Video: ChessBase India

Total prize fund

US$ 750000 per Grand Slam

Format

• Round robin: Top four players from each group go to the Upper Bracket, bottom four to the Lower Bracket. Time control: 10' + 10"

• Knockout stage time control: Game 1+2 = 30'+30", Game 3+4 = 10'+10", Game 5+6 = 5'+2", Game 7 = Armageddon

Schedule

16th July: Round-Robin stage - Rapid

17th July: Upper and Lower bracket Quarterfinals

18th July: Upper Bracket Semifinals and Lower Bracket Intermediate Match Red

19th July: Lower Bracket Intermediate Green & Semifinals

20th July: Upper & Lower Bracket Finals

Final standings 1st - 2nd

No.		Name	FED	Rtg	Game 1	Game 2	Pts.
Final - Round 1 (2025/07/20)

2	GM	Niemann Hans Moke	USA	2722	½	0	½
1	GM	Aronian Levon	USA	2737	½	1	1½

Details

3rd - 4th place results

No.		Name	FED	Rtg	Game 1	Game 2	Pts.
Final - Round 1 (2025/07/20)

3	GM	Carlsen Magnus	NOR	2909	½	1	1½
4	GM	Nakamura Hikaru	USA	2818	½	0	½

Details

5th - 6th place results

No.		Name	FED	Rtg	Game 1	Game 2	Pts.
Final - Round 1 (2025/07/20)

2	GM	Erigaisi Arjun	IND	2758	0	0	0
1	GM	Caruana Fabiano	USA	2804	1	1	2

Details

7th - 8th place results

No.		Name	FED	Rtg	Game 1	Game 2	Pts.
Final - Round 1 (2025/07/20)

2	GM	So Wesley	USA	2737	½	0	½
1	GM	Praggnanandhaa R	IND	2773	½	1	1½

Details

Links

Official site

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Levon Aronian wins Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Las Vegas, Magnus Carlsen third