chessbase india logo

Magnus Carlsen on the verge of winning Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 2

by Shahid Ahmed - 14/04/2025

The first game of the Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 2 Finals between Magnus Carlsen (NOR) and Hikaru Nakamura (USA) was heading towards a draw. In the final moments of the endgame, Nakamura made an irrevocable mistake. Carlsen had no trouble seizing his opportunity and his opponent resigned. Vincent Keymer's (GER) knight sacrifice did not pan out against Fabiano Caruana (USA). Arjun Erigaisi continues his great form as he defeated Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) whose exchange sacrifice did not yield anything. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) lost a thrilling battle against Ian Nepomniachtchi. Finals Game 2 starts today from 1 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Arjun Erigaisi beats Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

Magnus Carlsen is a draw away from winning his first Freestyle event of the year

Final: Carlsen - Nakamura: 1-0

Just when it seemed like the game between Magnus Carlsen (NOR) and Hikaru Nakamura (USA) will end in a draw, Nakamura blundered.

Position after 35...Ba2??

Black did the only thing he should not have done 35...Ba2?? Find out why it is a mistake and White's winning continuation.

Magnus Carlsen on his win and more | Video: ChessBase India
Hikaru Nakamura analyzes his game against Magnus Carlsen | Video: GMHikaru

Hikaru Nakamura (USA) is the one standing tall after his Semifinal battle against Vincent Keymer (GER)

3rd place: Keymer - Caruana: 0-1

A knight sacrifice in the endgame did not work out for Vincent Keymer (GER) against Fabiano Caruana (USA).

Vincent Keymer (GER) - Fabiano Caruana (USA): 0-1

5th place: Vachier-Lagrave - Arjun: 0-1

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) decided to give up an exchange at one point. It did not work out as Arjun Erigaisi won the game.

Arjun Erigaisi is on a roll

Abdusattorov - Nepomniachtchi: 0-1

Nodirbek Abdusattorov lost an exciting battle which could have gone either player's way against Ian Nepomniachtchi

For more Final 1 and 3rd-8th place game photos, please click here.

Interview with R B Ramesh on Freestye Chess | Video: ChessBase India

Replay live commentary

Replay Final 1 and 3rd-7th place games live commentary by IM Sagar Shah, GM Harshit Raja and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India

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

Final results

No.NameFEDRtgGame 1Game 2  Pts.  
Final - Round 1 (2025/04/13 - 2025/04/14)
1GMCarlsen MagnusNOR283711
2GMNakamura HikaruUSA280400

Details

3rd place results

No.NameFEDRtgGame 1Game 2  Pts.  
Final - Round 1 (2025/04/13 - 2025/04/14)
2GMKeymer VincentGER271800
1GMCaruana FabianoUSA277611

Details

5th place results

No.NameFEDRtgGame 1Game 2  Pts.  
Final - Round 1 (2025/04/13 - 2025/04/14)
2GMVachier-Lagrave MaximeFRA272200
1GMErigaisi ArjunIND278211

Details

7th place results

No.NameFEDRtgGame 1Game 2  Pts.  
Final - Round 1 (2025/04/13 - 2025/04/14)
1GMAbdusattorov NodirbekUZB277300
2GMNepomniachtchi IanRUS275711

Details

Links

Official site


Related news:
Magnus Carlsen convincingly clinches Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 2

@ 15/04/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Arjun Erigaisi's immortal floors Nepomniachtchi

@ 13/04/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 2 SF1: Calm before storm?

@ 12/04/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 2 QF2: Nakamura eliminates Arjun

@ 11/04/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 2 QF1: Arjun misses against Nakamura

@ 10/04/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 2: Arjun Erigaisi set to face Hikaru Nakamura in the Quarterfinals

@ 09/04/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 2: Arjun astonishes Carlsen, he bounces back by winning the next four

@ 08/04/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Gukesh, Arjun, Praggnanandhaa and Vidit to face Carlsen and co. at Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 2

@ 07/04/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
पेरिस फ्रीस्टाइल शतरंज : विदित की क्वालिफायर से एंट्री

@ 18/03/2025 by Niklesh Jain (hi)
Vidit Gujrathi qualifies to the Freestyle Grand Slam Tour 2025 Paris

@ 15/03/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Vincent Keymer conquers Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1

@ 15/02/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Vincent Keymer on the verge of winning Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1

@ 14/02/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1 SF: Keymer KOs Carlsen

@ 13/02/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1 SF: Vincent Keymer stuns Magnus Carlsen

@ 12/02/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1: Sindarov eliminates Nakamura, joins Keymer, Caruana and Carlsen in SF

@ 11/02/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1: Firouzja, Gukesh and Abdusattorov in a must-win situation

@ 10/02/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1: Caruana handpicks World Champion Gukesh as his Quarterfinals opponent

@ 09/02/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)
Freestyle Grand Slam Tour Stage 1: Carlsen slayers Caruana and Sindarov emerge coleaders

@ 08/02/2025 by Shahid Ahmed (en)

Contact Us