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Magnus Carlsen dominates Grenke Freestyle Open with a perfect 9/9 and 3153 performance

by Shahid Ahmed - 22/04/2025

There is a reason Magnus Carlsen (NOR) is considered G.O.A.T. (Greatest of all time). Very few can argue and even dare to refute it as he has repeatedly proved that he is the best irrespective format or even variant. The World no.1 won Grenke Freestyle Open 2025 with a round to spare when he defeated GM Rauf Mamedov (AZE). In the final round, he won against the Germany no.1, GM Vincent Keymer. Although he didn't need but he still went for it shows that despite becoming a five-time World Champion and winning a World Cup too, he still has unquenchable hunger to shatter records. This was the first time he scored 9/9 in a Classical tournament and won it with a performance of 3153. Photos: Aditya Sur Roy

Carlsen wins with a round to spare

Seven players scored 7/9 each. GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) and GM Andrey Esipenko was placed second and third according to tie-breaks. Among the Indians, GM Arjun Erigaisi and GM Leon Luke Mendonca are the only two to make a top ten finish. They scored 7/9 and 6.5/9 each to claim seventh and tenth place respectively. Magnus won €60000 and 25 Freestyle Grand Slam Tour points. IM Aswath S won the Grenke Open A and also earned his maiden GM-norm. It will be mentioned in detail in a separate report.

Magnus Carlsen is the dominant winner of Grenke Freestyle Open 2025

Runner-up - GM Parham Maghsoodloo (IRI) 7/9 | Photo: IM Sagar Shah

Round 8

The starting position for the eighth round was position number 228.

The starting position for Round 6 was number 228

Rauf - Carlsen: 0-1

GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) started the final day by grinding a rook and bishop vs rook and knight endgame against GM Rauf Mamedov (AZE). This win made him the champion as he registered his eighth win in-a-row and he was 1.5 points ahead of others at that time.

Magnus Carlsen joins the ChessBase India live stream after becoming the champion | Video: ChessBase India

GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) defeated GM Rauf Mamedov (AZE) to win the tournament with a round to spare

Arjun - David Anton: 1-0

GM Arjun Erigaisi - GM David Anton Guijjaro (ESP): 1-0

GM Pranesh M - GM Awonder Liang (USA): 1-0

Round 9

The starting position for the ninth round was position number 140

Our very own Cofounder and CEO, IM Sagar Shah drew the position number for the final round

The starting position for Round 9 was number 140

Carlsen - Keymer: 1-0

For the second consecutive year, Magnus Carlsen defeated Vincent Keymer at the same event. Although the variant and format are different, the outcome remains the same.

GM Magnus Carlsen (NOR) - GM Vincent Keymer (GER): 1-0

GM Arjun Erigaisi defeated GM Jorden van Foreest (NED) to finish seventh

GM Leon Luke Mendonca drew with GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) to claim tenth place

How many GMs can you spot in this frame?

For more Round 8, 9 and Prize distribution ceremony photos, please click at the respective links.

Replay live stream

Replay Round 8 live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India
Replay Round 9 live commentary by IM Sagar Shah and Amruta Mokal | Video: ChessBase India

Video Gallery

14th World Champion - Vladimir Kramnik joins the live stream | Video: ChessBase India
He is only 89 and he loves playing chess | Video: ChessBase India
Magnus Carlsen - "I have never done this in classical format, it feels incredible" | Video: ChessBase India
Highest Performance Ever! - Magnus Carlsen Winner Analysis | Video: Grenke Chess
Day 4 impressions | Video: Grenke Chess

Replay Round 8-9 Open A games

Round 9 results

Bo.No. WhiteRtgPts.ResultPts.BlackRtg No.
11
GMCarlsen, Magnus283781 - 0GMKeymer, Vincent2718
14
29
GMDominguez Perez, Leinier2738½ - ½GMMaghsoodloo, Parham2684
20
324
GMSvane, Frederik2668½ - ½6GMRobson, Ray2692
19
422
GMVan Foreest, Jorden268160 - 16GMErigaisi Arjun,2782
2
53
GMCaruana, Fabiano277661 - 06GMTabatabaei, M. Amin2661
27
611
GMLe, Quang Liem272960 - 16GMSarana, Alexey2672
23
712
GMRapport, Richard27226½ - ½6GMMamedov, Rauf2657
29
813
GMVachier-Lagrave, Maxime27226½ - ½6GMMendonca, Leon Luke2643
32
915
GMYu, Yangyi27146½ - ½6GMPranesh M,2572
50
1017
GMEsipenko, Andrey269661 - 06GMJobava, Baadur2600
43
1128
GMOparin, Grigoriy26606½ - ½6GMGrischuk, Alexander2682
21
1230
GMKarthikeyan, Murali26516½ - ½GMNepomniachtchi, Ian2757
4
137
GMSo, Wesley27481 - 0GMYoo, Christopher Woojin2588
45
1441
GMKamsky, Gata2603½ - ½GMAronian, Levon2747
8
1549
GMSonis, Francesco2576½ - ½GMNiemann, Hans Moke2736
10
1651
GMSmeets, Jan25680 - 1GMSindarov, Javokhir2706
16
1768
IMKoelle, Tobias2459½ - ½GMNavara, David2665
25
1826
GMBluebaum, Matthias2662½ - ½IMAssaubayeva, Bibisara2494
63
19114
IMSong, Julien23090 - 1IMFeuerstack, Aljoscha2458
69
2031
GMDardha, Daniel2650½ - ½GMSchoppen, Casper2529
58

Details

Final standings

Rk.SNo NameFEDRtgRtgIRtgNClub/CityPts. TB1 
11
GMCarlsen, MagnusNOR283728372839FC ST.Pauli 1910 eV SAbt952,5
220
GMMaghsoodloo, ParhamIRI268426842673SC Viernheim 1934 e.V.752,5
317
GMEsipenko, AndreyFID269626962730Düsseldorfer SK 14/25 e.752
24
GMSvane, FrederikGER266826682692Hamburger SK von 1830 eV752
59
GMDominguez Perez, LeinierUSA273827382727Düsseldorfer SK 14/25 e.750,5
23
GMSarana, AlexeySRB267226722627SC Viernheim 1934 e.V.750,5
72
GMErigaisi Arjun,IND278227822759Düsseldorfer SK 14/25 e.750
3
GMCaruana, FabianoUSA277627762743OSG Baden-Baden750
929
GMMamedov, RaufAZE2657265706,556
1032
GMMendonca, Leon LukeIND264326432646Hamburger SK von 1830 eV6,554
1150
GMPranesh M,IND2572257206,553
1216
GMSindarov, JavokhirUZB270627062694Düsseldorfer SK 14/25 e.6,552,5
1314
GMKeymer, VincentGER271827182717OSG Baden-Baden6,552
147
GMSo, WesleyUSA274827482752Düsseldorfer SK 14/25 e.6,550,5
12
GMRapport, RichardHUN272227222742OSG Baden-Baden6,550,5
1615
GMYu, YangyiCHN271427142731Düsseldorfer SK 14/25 e.6,550
34
GMAnton Guijarro, DavidESP263926392657SC Viernheim 1934 e.V.6,550
1836
GMSvane, RasmusGER262526252615Hamburger SK von 1830 eV6,549,5
1913
GMVachier-Lagrave, MaximeFRA272227222713OSG Baden-Baden6,549
19
GMRobson, RayUSA2692269206,549
21
GMGrischuk, AlexanderRUS2682268206,549

Details

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