grenke chess 2025 – Chessdom https://www.chessdom.com Chess, chess news, live chess games Tue, 22 Apr 2025 11:02:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 Interview with Magnus Carlsen after scoring 9/9 in Grenke (Video) https://www.chessdom.com/interview-with-magnus-carlsen-after-scoring-9-9-in-grenke-video/ Tue, 22 Apr 2025 11:02:08 +0000 https://www.chessdom.com/?p=98706 Magnus Carlsen is the winner of Grenke Freestyle Chess 2025. The five-time classical World Champion is proving to be unstoppable at Freestyle (aka Chess960 or Fischer Random) too. After Carlsen’s Freestyle victory in Paris, now he managed to secure the Grenke Freestyle Chess 2025 title with a round to spare. (replay Carlsen’s games here). Here is an interview with Magnus Carlsen right after his 9/9 victory at Grenke Freestyle 2025

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Magnus Carlsen wins Grenke Freestyle Chess 2025, sets NEW RECORD https://www.chessdom.com/magnus-carlsen-wins-grenke-freestyle-chess-2025-sets-new-record/ Mon, 21 Apr 2025 18:00:39 +0000 https://www.chessdom.com/?p=98691 Magnus Carlsen is the winner of Grenke Freestyle Chess 2025. The five-time classical World Champion is proving to be unstoppable at Freestyle (aka Chess960 or Fischer Random) too. After Carlsen’s Freestyle victory in Paris, now he managed to secure the Grenke Freestyle Chess 2025 title with a round to spare. (replay Carlsen’s games here)

Carlsen sets NEW RECORD for highest performance

The rampage of Carlsen became clear after he started with 5,0/5. His CPR (a measurement more reliable than TPR, read about it here) then jumped over 3000. He then continued with 7,0/7 on Easter bringing the CPR to 3094. With 8,0/8 he reached 3122 CPR.

With the victory against Keymer in the last round, Carlsen completes the event with 9,0/9 and CPR of 3153! That is the highest mark of modern history, passing the performance of Caruana in Sinquefield Cup 2014.

This is the second chess record of the week, after Tunde Onakoya and Shawn Martinez completed playing chess for 64 hours

Here is the all times best CPR performance list by Dr. Mehmet Ismail before Grenke 2025

The CPR before 1972 are based on only estimated chessmetrics ratings. The official Elo best ones are Carlsen and then Caruana. Dr Mehmet Ismail adds that the “perfect score performance rating” is 3191 (that is the CPR without considering the lowest rated player such as the one of 2227)

Chess speaks for itself

While Niemann’s appearance after 12 days of radio silence was the key motif of the first rounds, chess spoke for itself and Carlsen’s performance acted like a magnet for all media covering the event.

Niemann himself finished with a lower than expected score, but he was followed by a team of Netflix, who are shooting yet another episode of Netflix UNTOLD 2025 – Carlsen – Niemann story. This will be an ongoing story, here is a timeline of the events so far:

05.04. Norwegian TV reports that Niemann is withdrawing after he was informed about anti-cheating
05.04 Breaking: Hans Niemann withdraws from Freestyle Chess Paris 2025 (rolling updates)
06.04 Reactions to Hans Niemann withdrawing from Paris Freestyle Chess 2025
06.04 Chess Song: Disappearing stars (Hans Niemann & Alireza Firouza) #TweetOftheDay
06.04 The organizer of Freestyle Chess Paris comments on the withdraw of Hans Niemann
17.04 Hans Niemann shows at round 1 of Grenke Chess after 12 days radio silence
17.04. Round 1 pairings of Grenke with Hans Niemann playing
19.04 Interview with Hans Niemann at Grenke

More about Grenke Chess 2025

There will be more coverage of Grenke, with exclusive stories and news coming in the Chessdom Newsletter, that is scheduled to launch THIS week. It is FREE and you will get it daily in the mailbox, signup with your email in the form below

The form can be filled in the actual website url.

More about Grenke Live games / Information Interviews Rasmus Svane about the secret to finding the best first move in Freestyle chess / Chess speaks for itself, with Hans Niemann at Grenke / Alexander Grischuk: “I prefer blitz, rapid of freestyle” Chess Song No Foolin’ This Time (Hans Niemann)

Final standings of Grenke Chess Freestyle 2025

1GMCarlsen, MagnusNOR28379
2GMMaghsoodloo, ParhamIRI26847
3GMEsipenko, AndreyFID26967
GMSvane, FrederikGER26687
5GMDominguez Perez, LeinierUSA27387
GMSarana, AlexeySRB26727
7GMErigaisi Arjun,IND27827
GMCaruana, FabianoUSA27767
9GMMamedov, RaufAZE26576.5
10GMMendonca, Leon LukeIND26436.5
11GMPranesh M,IND25726.5
12GMSindarov, JavokhirUZB27066.5
13GMKeymer, VincentGER27186.5
14GMSo, WesleyUSA27486.5
GMRapport, RichardHUN27226.5
16GMYu, YangyiCHN27146.5
GMAnton Guijarro, DavidESP26396.5
18GMSvane, RasmusGER26256.5
19GMVachier-Lagrave, MaximeFRA27226.5
GMRobson, RayUSA26926.5
GMGrischuk, AlexanderRUS26826.5
22GMGrandelius, NilsSWE26406.5
23GMOparin, GrigoriyUSA26606.5
24GMKarthikeyan, MuraliIND26516.5
25GMPultinevicius, PauliusLTU25586
26GMNepomniachtchi, IanRUS27576
27GMBluebaum, MatthiasGER26626
GMJobava, BaadurGEO26006
29WGMHeinemann, JosefineGER23426
30GMNavara, DavidCZE26656
GMAryan Chopra,IND26206
32GMBacrot, EtienneFRA26336
33GMAronian, LevonUSA27476
GMNiemann, Hans MokeUSA27366
GMGokerkan, Cem KaanTUR24896
36GMVan Foreest, JordenNED26816
GMTabatabaei, M. AminIRI26616
GMMikhalevski, VictorISR25136
39GMErdogmus, Yagiz KaanTUR26186
GMKamsky, GataUSA26036
IMDruska, JurajSVK24426
42GMPiorun, KacperPOL25776
IMHacker, JonasGER23706
44GMLe, Quang LiemVIE27296
45IMKoelle, TobiasGER24596
46GMDardha, DanielBEL26506
GMKollars, DmitrijGER26236
GMSonis, FrancescoITA25766
GMSchoppen, CasperNED25296
IMAssaubayeva, BibisaraKAZ24946
51GMKadric, DenisMNE25336
52GMLivaic, LeonCRO25366
53GMFridman, DanielGER25826
54GMWagner, DennisGER26076
55GMSmeets, JanNED25685.5
56GMYoo, Christopher WoojinUSA25885.5
IMSorensen, HampusSWE24365.5
58GMKlekowski, MaciejPOL24745.5
59GMAravindh, Chithambaram VR.IND27495.5
GMRaja Harshit,IND24745.5
61GMGrigoriants, SergeyHUN25525.5
IMFeuerstack, AljoschaGER24585.5
63IMKilic, ErayTUR24735.5
64Boev, ViktorBUL22355.5
65CMKumala, AleksanderPOL21315.5
66IMReuker, JariGER24065.5
67IMGschnitzer, AdrianGER24305.5
68GMHuschenbeth, NiclasGER26015.5
IMWagner, DinaraGER24355.5
FMRinguet, NoeFRA23045.5
71GMDeviatkin, AndreiRUS24425.5
72FMDragicevic, DrazenSWE23345.5
FMBecker, MatthiasGER23205.5
74IMBournel, AntoineFRA24235.5
FMJahncke, GisoGER22415.5
76FMRuiz Buendia, MiguelESP23535.5
WIMMuetsch, AnnmarieBEL23295.5
78IMThavandiran, ShiyamCAN23985.5
79FMMostertman, MilanNED22185.5
80GMLiang, AwonderUSA26925
81GMWirig, AnthonyFRA24335
82FMSklokin, SergeyFID23055
Kukushkin, IvanBUL20305
84IMFinek, VaclavCZE25015
85IMBeltran Rueda, SantiagoESP22785
86IMPantzar, MiltonSWE24455
FMDauner, BenediktGER23245
WGMBerend, ElviraLUX22525
89GMBogner, SebastianSUI25455
FMTuncer, TunaTUR23285
Shevkunov, VladyslavUSA20505
92FMDathe, FrederickGER23115
Wolter, DetlevGER21695
94IMSeul, GeorgGER23295
95FMMoehn, HansGER23855
96Morgenthaler, StefanSUI20745
97Mueller, EliasGER21155
98IMLangheinrich, FerencGER23475
IMScholz, Christian, Dr.GER22845
Hess, Markus, Dr.GER20575
101CMSoucek, JanCZE23095
Lohr, MaximilianGER21515
103IMHess, MaxGER24005
IMAbel, DennesGER23895
FMWehner, RolandGER22495
Zolfagharian, KevinGER22075
107FMMiller, EduardGER23385
Richter, LeonardGER21985
109Duson, RobinNED21315
110Loheide, MichelGER19555
111FMMoeller, HendrikGER22175
112Dieterle, PatrikGER21255
113Farmani Anosheh, YashaGER21145
114GMMovsesian, SergeiARM25914.5
115IMLeisch, LukasAUT24074.5
116IMLoeffler, StefanGER23454.5
117IMDionisi, ThomasFRA24104.5
118GMTang, AndrewUSA25294.5
FMSzalay-Ocsak, BankHUN21264.5
120IMKucuksari, KaanSWE24404.5
121CMNissinen, Niilo ManHKG22684.5
CMMeyers, MarkGER22674.5
Koehler, Christian FriedrichGER22234.5
124IMAizenberg, BennyISR24504.5
FMHoeffer, DavidGER22954.5
Stichter, Constantin PaulGER21894.5
Maisch, JulianGER21534.5
128Kearns, ChristopherGER21864.5
FMOlsson, LinusSWE21664.5
130Schimnatkowski, LukasGER21854.5
Casagrande, FedericoITA21804.5
Szakmary, DomonkosHUN21544.5
CMGermer, PhilippGER21294.5
134IMSouleidis, GeorgiosGRE24184.5
135IMPastar, SlavenBIH23594.5
FMFranc, BornaCRO22814.5
IMBrendel, OliverGER22784.5
Kuehn, KoljaGER21264.5
139Paeslack, LuisGER20324.5
140IMSong, JulienFRA23094.5
Diyap, MuratGER21684.5
142FMCiolek, AndreasGER21984.5
143Ahner, ThomasGER21644.5
144IMCotonnec, MelkiorFRA22654.5
145CMSliwicki, DamianPOL21574.5
146CMLaemmel, SebastianGER22104.5
CMQuilter, Thomas AENG21624.5
148Thomsen, PhilGER21564.5
149Mrotzek, AlexanderGER20714.5
150Keller, YannikGER20834.5
151FMKueppers, TimoGER22924
152FMZienkiewicz, JanFRA23484
153IMDobrikov, MarcoGER24044
154Kremser, MichaelGER20244
155IMRosner, JonasGER24304
156FMHuber, BenediktGER22614
FMRuff, MaximilianGER22354
Isacesco, FredericFRA20664
159GMYankelevich, LevGER24134
160FMMoritz, AronGER23054
CMFerey, AntoninFRA22364
Ellis, AntoineFRA21564
Kribben, Matthias, Dr.GER20604
164Jeschke, JanGER21394
Berresheim, HelmutGER20334
166FMNoy, EyalISR23464
167IMZatonskih, AnnaUSA23004
CMHeron, AndrewLIE21004
169FMBach, MatthiasGER22074
Nickel, RuedigerGER19834
171Brandt, SebastianGER21984
Klein, JoachimGER21864
Colonetti, FabioITA21704
Blaschke, Henri JohannesGER19644
175FMTomaszewski, KacperPOL23304
FMKnudsen, SimonGER22894
Wu, LukaGER21094
178FMZieher, HartmutGER21444
Kommer, BasNED20864
180Siegert, GregorGER21134
181Hofmann, LorenzGER21044
182Dietze, SebastianGER21514
183Uhlmann, TimGER21084
184Bratu, MirceaGER20464
185Schottmueller, ChristophGER19434
186GMKraemer, MartinGER25773.5
187GMVogel, RovenGER25573.5
188Leck, GerritGER20283.5
189IMInjac, TeodoraSRB24553.5
190FMPoeck, OleGER23043.5
Rosenboom, NikoGER20303.5
192Herms Agullo, JordiESP20683.5
Braeutigam, ThomasGER20323.5
194IMLammers, MarkusGER23043.5
Doenitz, Christian, Dr.GER20153.5
196WFMKhrapko, MarharytaGER21463.5
197FMGallasch, JonasGER22773.5
Kern, NicolasFRA20803.5
Wu, LeonGER20673.5
Nicolai, TimGER20533.5
201FMLoew, GeraldGER21423.5
Schinkowski, ChristophGER21303.5
Alshihawi, ObaiGER19633.5
204Zenari, MarcoITA21423.5
Cervelli, EduardSUI20523.5
206Merz, LeanderGER19573.5
Wadhwa, AayushUSA19163.5
208Pfatteicher, LukasGER22103.5
209FMAhn, MartinBEL21243.5
Ott, MathiasGER20173.5
211Schallner, MarcGER21013.5
212Emans, JobNED21343.5
213Nickel, ArnoGER20523.5
214Hoffmann, JensGER20573.5
Tencati, GiuseppeITA20313.5
216Wagner, BerndGER20693.5
217Spieker, MichaelGER20243.5
218D’angerio, AlessandroITA21063.5
219Richter, DanielSUI19373.5
220Heinke, JasperGER20523
Tibke, JonasGER20303
Bleuzen, CedricFRA20033
223GMAbergel, ThalFRA24153
Tischler, MichelAUT20803
Leck, JakobGER20463
226Leibbrand, UdoGER20273
Rombach, MichaelGER20193
228FMBremond, EricFRA21293
Geist, TimGER20543
230IMKrause, BenedictGER24203
231Player, Edmund CENG21613
232FMHaag, WolfgangGER21753
233Gramb, MariusGER21653
FMBalint, VilmosHUN21403
Jaeschke, BennoGER20083
Cabela, FilipCZE20003
237Schormann, ConradGER21113
238FMMundorf, JohannesGER22883
Seidel, KnutGER19743
Degro, HeikoGER19483
241Werner, Martin, Dr.GER20213
Valean, David-AndreiGER19613
243GMBasso, Pier LuigiITA25083
CMSadeghi, Hassan RogerSUI20383
Wong, Yen-Hsiu ElliotSGP19873
246Heyl, ThomasGER19353
Kuever, BastianGER19203
248Stork, ChristopherGER21323
249Vogel, ConstantinGER21933
Schoettker, JochenGER19553
251Steinhart, Karl-HeinzGER21103
Volk, OskarGER20013
253Germer, MarcelGER21303
Bahmann, MichaGER20613
255Markina, SofiiaCZE18873
256Hillermann, VinzenzGER22272.5
257IMZeller, FrankGER23182.5
258Hoffmann, TimGER20112.5
259Barthel, AnsgarGER20422.5
WFMMatskevich, VarvaraPOL19892.5
261Musaelyan, ArshavirSUI19612.5
262Sesselmann, ChristophGER20312.5
Gabriel, JosefGER19942.5
Wiesner, AlexanderGER19622.5
265Arns, AlexanderGER19852.5
266Hoffmann, Achim GunterAUS20352.5
267Mueller, MarkGER19792.5
268Baeumer, FrankGER19662.5
269Hell, PascalFRA21032.5
270Reimold, JonasGER20392.5
271Hematyar, FardinNED19902
272Medvedovski, MichaelGER20582
273Dunn, Andrew MENG21172
274Gold, Jan ChristianGER19972
Luhn, RobertGER19882
276Standhartinger, JoachimAUT19802
277Aleskerov, FaikAZE23152
278Stara, ZuzanaCZE20602
279Huhn, StefanGER20762
280Halas, JuliaGER19782
281Bugaj, HannaPOL19532
282Woelk, MarvinGER19581.5
283Schmitt, Hans WalterGER19861.5
284FMFichter, FabianGER22351.5
285Wiesner, FrankGER20481.5
286Precour, JuergenGER20101.5
Schaub, MarcFRA19561.5
288IMCaprio, GuidoITA24051.5
289GMMamedyarov, ShakhriyarAZE27481.5
290Narr, KevinGER21281.5
291De Silva, Joel NielsGER21421
292CMHauser, Carlos, Dr.GER22191
293Hamid, EmranGER22031
294Haxhiaj, PremtimGER19631
295Sessler, Joachim, Dr.GER21781
296CMGottstein, Claudius-ThomasGER21130
297Falk, Ulrich, Prof. Dr.GER22380

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High voltage pairing for Magnus Carlsen in R8 of Grenke Chess 2025 [the full story] https://www.chessdom.com/high-voltage-pairing-for-magnus-carlsen-in-r8-of-grenke-chess-2025-the-full-story/ Sun, 20 Apr 2025 21:56:43 +0000 https://www.chessdom.com/?p=98668 Magnus Carlsen continues to showcase his natural talent and chess skills at the Grenke Freestyle Chess 2025 tournament. Yesterday he was with perfect 5,0/7 and today he continued his rampage by winning against Awonder Liang in round 6 and against Parham Maghsoodloo in round 7. His perfect score performance rating for 7/7 is 3094 CPR (read more about CPR here)

While everyone is thinking about a possible 9,0/9, ahead of Carlsen is a high voltage pairing. Round 8 of Grenke Freestyle Chess will see Rauf Mamedov – Magnus Carlsen on board 1.

The story of this game began in October 2022. Just weeks after Magnus Carlsen shocked the chess world after resigning against Hans Niemann on the move 2 during the Julius Baer Generation Cup, the Azerbaijani grandmaster Rauf Mamedov had the same reaction yesterday during the Late Titled Tuesday played on chess.com. Rauf Mamedov resigned his Round 10 game against Magnus Carlsen on the second move and did not play the last 11th round of the tournament. Mamedov had white pieces and started with 1.e4, when Carlsen answered with Borg Defense – 1…g5. Rauf decided to resign.

In the interview for sports.ru, Mamedov revealed he almost got banned from the platform for resigning on the second move: “Fillimonov from Crestbook wrote to me asking why I left the tournament. I answered that because of 1…g5. And on Wednesday morning the journalist got in touch and told me that I almost been banned [from chess.com] after this incident on Chess.com“.

Rauf explained that he didn’t want to continue the game after seeing Carlsen’s 1…g5 as he didn’t want to allow Magnus to make fun of him: “Titled Tuesday gathers strong lineups, all people come here to play chess, maybe someone will make money. And then – 1.e4 g5! Well, I decided not to continue … If you come to mock us, then without me. I don’t think I’m right and so on, but I definitely don’t want to participate in something like that. (…) The move 1…g5 in a prize tournament, moreover when the World Champion makes it, is wrong… There are always more expectations from a game against Carlsen than anyone else, but instead of that, mockery“.

More stories like this are coming in the Chessdom Newsletter, that starts this week (yes, now!). The Chessdom bulletin is FREE, signup in the form below

The form can be filled in the actual website url.

Now, two and a half years later, Rauf Mamedov and Magnus Carlsen will meet again. This time in a chess variant where a move like 1…g5 might actually be the best, depending on the starting position.

More about Grenke Live games / Information Interviews Rasmus Svane about the secret to finding the best first move in Freestyle chess / Chess speaks for itself, with Hans Niemann at Grenke / Alexander Grischuk: “I prefer blitz, rapid of freestyle” Chess Song No Foolin’ This Time (Hans Niemann)

Grenke Freestyle Chess 2025 standings

1GMCarlsen, MagnusNOR28377
2GMMamedov, RaufAZE26576
3GMEsipenko, AndreyFID26966
4GMJobava, BaadurGEO26005.5
5GMSindarov, JavokhirUZB27065.5
GMBluebaum, MatthiasGER26625.5
7GMSvane, FrederikGER26685.5
8GMTabatabaei, M. AminIRI26615.5
9GMDominguez Perez, LeinierUSA27385.5
GMKeymer, VincentGER27185.5
GMSarana, AlexeySRB26725.5
GMNavara, DavidCZE26655.5
13GMCaruana, FabianoUSA27765.5
GMMaghsoodloo, ParhamIRI26845.5
GMVan Foreest, JordenNED26815.5
16GMAnton Guijarro, DavidESP26395.5
17GMVachier-Lagrave, MaximeFRA27225.5
18GMLiang, AwonderUSA26925
GMPultinevicius, PauliusLTU25585
20GMMendonca, Leon LukeIND26435
GMPranesh M,IND25725
22GMMikhalevski, VictorISR25135
23GMNepomniachtchi, IanRUS27575
24GMDardha, DanielBEL26505
GMKamsky, GataUSA26035
GMGokerkan, Cem KaanTUR24895
27GMLe, Quang LiemVIE27295
GMRapport, RichardHUN27225
IMHacker, JonasGER23705
30GMSo, WesleyUSA27485
GMYu, YangyiCHN27145
GMSvane, RasmusGER26255
33GMErigaisi Arjun,IND27825
GMRobson, RayUSA26925
GMOparin, GrigoriyUSA26605
GMGrandelius, NilsSWE26405
GMGrigoriants, SergeyHUN25525
38GMKarthikeyan, MuraliIND26515
GMPiorun, KacperPOL25775
40GMGrischuk, AlexanderRUS26825
GMKadric, DenisMNE25335
42IMAssaubayeva, BibisaraKAZ24945
43GMHuschenbeth, NiclasGER26015
GMFridman, DanielGER25825
45IMDruska, JurajSVK24424.5
46WGMHeinemann, JosefineGER23424.5
47GMNiemann, Hans MokeUSA27364.5
48GMAryan Chopra,IND26204.5
GMYoo, Christopher WoojinUSA25884.5
IMSorensen, HampusSWE24364.5
51GMKlekowski, MaciejPOL24744.5
52GMAronian, LevonUSA27474.5
GMErdogmus, Yagiz KaanTUR26184.5
GMSonis, FrancescoITA25764.5
55GMSmeets, JanNED25684.5
56GMLivaic, LeonCRO25364.5
57GMAravindh, Chithambaram VR.IND27494.5
GMMovsesian, SergeiARM25914.5
IMKoelle, TobiasGER24594.5
Boev, ViktorBUL22354.5
61IMLeisch, LukasAUT24074.5
62GMSchoppen, CasperNED25294.5
IMLoeffler, StefanGER23454.5
64IMKilic, ErayTUR24734.5
IMBeltran Rueda, SantiagoESP22784.5
66GMTang, AndrewUSA25294.5
CMNissinen, Niilo ManHKG22684.5
68IMReuker, JariGER24064.5
FMRinguet, NoeFRA23044.5
70GMBogner, SebastianSUI25454.5
71IMKucuksari, KaanSWE24404.5
IMGschnitzer, AdrianGER24304.5
IMLangheinrich, FerencGER23474.5
CMSoucek, JanCZE23094.5
75FMHoeffer, DavidGER22954.5
76GMDeviatkin, AndreiRUS24424.5
77GMBacrot, EtienneFRA26334
78Kukushkin, IvanBUL20304
79GMKollars, DmitrijGER26234
80FMZienkiewicz, JanFRA23484
81GMYankelevich, LevGER24134
FMSzalay-Ocsak, BankHUN21264
83GMWirig, AnthonyFRA24334
FMSklokin, SergeyFID23054
85IMDionisi, ThomasFRA24104
86GMRaja Harshit,IND24744
87IMDobrikov, MarcoGER24044
88IMPantzar, MiltonSWE24454
FMDauner, BenediktGER23244
Jeschke, JanGER21394
91IMWagner, DinaraGER24354
92FMDathe, FrederickGER23114
WGMBerend, ElviraLUX22524
CMKumala, AleksanderPOL21314
Paeslack, LuisGER20324
96IMRosner, JonasGER24304
FMMoehn, HansGER23854
FMDragicevic, DrazenSWE23344
IMSeul, GeorgGER23294
FMMoritz, AronGER23054
Kearns, ChristopherGER21864
Wolter, DetlevGER21694
Kremser, MichaelGER20244
104IMHess, MaxGER24004
FMMiller, EduardGER23384
FMTomaszewski, KacperPOL23304
FMTuncer, TunaTUR23284
CMMeyers, MarkGER22674
Zolfagharian, KevinGER22074
Shevkunov, VladyslavUSA20504
111GMWagner, DennisGER26074
IMThavandiran, ShiyamCAN23984
FMNoy, EyalISR23464
FMWehner, RolandGER22494
115Morgenthaler, StefanSUI20744
Loheide, MichelGER19554
117Berresheim, HelmutGER20334
118Mueller, EliasGER21154
119WIMMuetsch, AnnmarieBEL23294
120FMMostertman, MilanNED22184
121GMKraemer, MartinGER25773.5
IMFinek, VaclavCZE25013.5
123GMVogel, RovenGER25573.5
IMFeuerstack, AljoschaGER24583.5
FMKueppers, TimoGER22923.5
126FMHuber, BenediktGER22613.5
Casagrande, FedericoITA21803.5
128FMBecker, MatthiasGER23203.5
Maisch, JulianGER21533.5
130IMAizenberg, BennyISR24503.5
CMGermer, PhilippGER21293.5
132FMFranc, BornaCRO22813.5
133IMInjac, TeodoraSRB24553.5
Stichter, Constantin PaulGER21893.5
CMHeron, AndrewLIE21003.5
136IMBournel, AntoineFRA24233.5
IMSouleidis, GeorgiosGRE24183.5
Szakmary, DomonkosHUN21543.5
139FMGallasch, JonasGER22773.5
FMJahncke, GisoGER22413.5
FMOlsson, LinusSWE21663.5
Kuehn, KoljaGER21263.5
Herms Agullo, JordiESP20683.5
144FMRuiz Buendia, MiguelESP23533.5
FMPoeck, OleGER23043.5
FMCiolek, AndreasGER21983.5
Schimnatkowski, LukasGER21853.5
Blaschke, Henri JohannesGER19643.5
149IMBrendel, OliverGER22783.5
Hess, Markus, Dr.GER20573.5
151IMSong, JulienFRA23093.5
IMZatonskih, AnnaUSA23003.5
CMSliwicki, DamianPOL21573.5
154IMLammers, MarkusGER23043.5
Wu, LukaGER21093.5
Doenitz, Christian, Dr.GER20153.5
157IMAbel, DennesGER23893.5
IMCotonnec, MelkiorFRA22653.5
FMMoeller, HendrikGER22173.5
Duson, RobinNED21313.5
161Ahner, ThomasGER21643.5
Schinkowski, ChristophGER21303.5
163Dieterle, PatrikGER21253.5
164CMLaemmel, SebastianGER22103.5
165IMScholz, Christian, Dr.GER22843
Koehler, Christian FriedrichGER22233
167GMAbergel, ThalFRA24153
FMRuff, MaximilianGER22353
169Leck, GerritGER20283
170CMFerey, AntoninFRA22363
Diyap, MuratGER21683
Lohr, MaximilianGER21513
Isacesco, FredericFRA20663
174Ellis, AntoineFRA21563
175Tischler, MichelAUT20803
176IMPastar, SlavenBIH23593
Richter, LeonardGER21983
Klein, JoachimGER21863
179IMKrause, BenedictGER24203
180GMBasso, Pier LuigiITA25083
FMKnudsen, SimonGER22893
FMBach, MatthiasGER22073
Colonetti, FabioITA21703
CMQuilter, Thomas AENG21623
FMBremond, EricFRA21293
Geist, TimGER20543
187FMMundorf, JohannesGER22883
FMLoew, GeraldGER21423
Tibke, JonasGER20303
Rombach, MichaelGER20193
191Brandt, SebastianGER21983
Vogel, ConstantinGER21933
Schoettker, JochenGER19553
194Thomsen, PhilGER21563
195FMBalint, VilmosHUN21403
Schormann, ConradGER21113
Heinke, JasperGER20523
Rosenboom, NikoGER20303
Degro, HeikoGER19483
200Dietze, SebastianGER21513
Ott, MathiasGER20173
202FMZieher, HartmutGER21443
Hofmann, LorenzGER21043
204Schallner, MarcGER21013
Alshihawi, ObaiGER19633
206Uhlmann, TimGER21083
207Farmani Anosheh, YashaGER21143
Bratu, MirceaGER20463
209Stork, ChristopherGER21323
210Mrotzek, AlexanderGER20713
211WFMKhrapko, MarharytaGER21462.5
212Kribben, Matthias, Dr.GER20602.5
213Zenari, MarcoITA21422.5
214IMZeller, FrankGER23182.5
215Hillermann, VinzenzGER22272.5
Kommer, BasNED20862.5
Braeutigam, ThomasGER20322.5
218Gramb, MariusGER21652.5
Kern, NicolasFRA20802.5
220FMHaag, WolfgangGER21752.5
Arns, AlexanderGER19852.5
222Pfatteicher, LukasGER22102.5
Wu, LeonGER20672.5
Wadhwa, AayushUSA19162.5
225Keller, YannikGER20832.5
226Bahmann, MichaGER20612.5
Werner, Martin, Dr.GER20212.5
Valean, David-AndreiGER19612.5
229Nickel, ArnoGER20522.5
Wong, Yen-Hsiu ElliotSGP19872.5
Seidel, KnutGER19742.5
232Musaelyan, ArshavirSUI19612.5
Kuever, BastianGER19202.5
234Heyl, ThomasGER19352.5
235Tencati, GiuseppeITA20312.5
236Hell, PascalFRA21032.5
237Baeumer, FrankGER19662.5
238Nickel, RuedigerGER19832
239Leck, JakobGER20462
Leibbrand, UdoGER20272
Bleuzen, CedricFRA20032
242Player, Edmund CENG21612
243Cervelli, EduardSUI20522
244Medvedovski, MichaelGER20582
245Aleskerov, FaikAZE23152
FMAhn, MartinBEL21242
Siegert, GregorGER21132
Nicolai, TimGER20532
249Hematyar, FardinNED19902
250Barthel, AnsgarGER20422
Cabela, FilipCZE20002
252Emans, JobNED21342
Wagner, BerndGER20692
Gold, Jan ChristianGER19972
255Luhn, RobertGER19882
256Hoffmann, JensGER20572
Spieker, MichaelGER20242
258CMSadeghi, Hassan RogerSUI20382
259Germer, MarcelGER21302
Gabriel, JosefGER19942
WFMMatskevich, VarvaraPOL19892
262Stara, ZuzanaCZE20602
Markina, SofiiaCZE18872
264Steinhart, Karl-HeinzGER21102
Wiesner, AlexanderGER19622
Schottmueller, ChristophGER19432
267D’angerio, AlessandroITA21062
268Bugaj, HannaPOL19532
269Hoffmann, TimGER20111.5
270Merz, LeanderGER19571.5
271Dunn, Andrew MENG21171.5
Sesselmann, ChristophGER20311.5
273IMCaprio, GuidoITA24051.5
FMFichter, FabianGER22351.5
Woelk, MarvinGER19581.5
276Volk, OskarGER20011.5
277Schaub, MarcFRA19561.5
278GMMamedyarov, ShakhriyarAZE27481.5
279Precour, JuergenGER20101.5
280Hoffmann, Achim GunterAUS20351.5
281Richter, DanielSUI19371.5
282Narr, KevinGER21281.5
Reimold, JonasGER20391.5
284Jaeschke, BennoGER20081
285Standhartinger, JoachimAUT19801
286De Silva, Joel NielsGER21421
Schmitt, Hans WalterGER19861
Mueller, MarkGER19791
289CMHauser, Carlos, Dr.GER22191
290Huhn, StefanGER20761
291Hamid, EmranGER22031
292Haxhiaj, PremtimGER19631
293Sessler, Joachim, Dr.GER21781
294Wiesner, FrankGER20480.5
295Halas, JuliaGER19780.5
296CMGottstein, Claudius-ThomasGER21130
297Falk, Ulrich, Prof. Dr.GER22380

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Rasmus Svane about the secret to finding the best first move in Freestyle chess https://www.chessdom.com/rasmus-svane-about-the-secret-to-finding-the-best-first-move-in-freestyle-chess/ Sat, 19 Apr 2025 22:54:46 +0000 https://www.chessdom.com/?p=98643 Rasmus Svane is a Danish-German chess grandmaster, born on May 21, 1997, in Allerød, Denmark, and currently living in Lübeck, Germany. He represents Germany in international competitions, including the European Team Chess Championship and the Chess Olympiad. As of September 2023, he is the No. 5 ranked German player with a FIDE rating of 2621, peaking at 2651 in May 2022. Svane learned chess at age 4 and achieved notable early success, winning the German U14 Chess Championship in 2010. He earned the International Master title in 2013 and the Grandmaster title in 2016 at age 19. His notable performances include a 2762 performance rating at the 2017 European Team Championship and contributing to Germany’s silver medal at the 2023 European Team Championship. He plays for the Hamburger SK in the German Bundesliga and has also competed in Danish and Austrian leagues. His younger brother, Frederik Svane, is also a grandmaster.

Rasmus Svane is currently competing in the Freestyle section of the Grenke Chess 2025 where Carlsen is sole leader after 5 rounds. Rasmus Svane shared his thoughts in a video interview for the organizers

More about Grenke Live games / Information

Rasmus Svane about the secret to finding the best first move in Freestyle chess

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Magnus Carlsen is sole leader of Grenke Chess after R5 [full report] https://www.chessdom.com/magnus-carlsen-is-sole-leader-of-grenke-chess-after-r5/ Sat, 19 Apr 2025 18:43:21 +0000 https://www.chessdom.com/?p=98636 It took only five rounds for Magnus Carlsen to be sole leader of the massive Grenke Freestyle Chess Open 2025. The 5,0/5 dominant performance comes after Carlsen’s victory in Paris and in mathematical terms is equal to 3003 CPR (see more about CPR)

New: Grenke will be part of the FIRST edition of the Chessdom newsletter, that is scheduled to start next week. Signup for free in the form below

The form can be filled in the actual website url.

The rules of Grenke Chess 2025 allow players to switch from Classical to Freestyle after round 4. By switching, the players keep the points and new pairings are constructed. Awonder Liang, one of the leaders in the open section, has decided to make that switch and will be paired against Magnus Carlsen in round 6. Scroll down for the full pairings

More about Grenke Live games / Information Interviews Rasmus Svane about the secret to finding the best first move in Freestyle chess / Chess speaks for itself, with Hans Niemann at Grenke / Alexander Grischuk: “I prefer blitz, rapid of freestyle” Chess Song No Foolin’ This Time (Hans Niemann)

Hans Niemann continues to draw media attention

Hans Niemann is near the top of the table and is performing well in the strong field of Grenke. His next match is against Sergei Movsesian. However, this is not what draws public interest around him. It is rather the controversy that started with his Paris Freestyle withdrawal, and continued with 12 days of radio silence and surprising appearance at Grenke. Additionally, the presence and secrecy of Vladimir Kramnik around him daily in Grenke fuel speculation. This is the spring story of Hans Niemann so far

05.04. Norwegian TV reports that Niemann is withdrawing after he was informed about anti-cheating
05.04 Breaking: Hans Niemann withdraws from Freestyle Chess Paris 2025 (rolling updates)
06.04 Reactions to Hans Niemann withdrawing from Paris Freestyle Chess 2025
06.04 Chess Song: Disappearing stars (Hans Niemann & Alireza Firouza) #TweetOftheDay
06.04 The organizer of Freestyle Chess Paris comments on the withdraw of Hans Niemann
17.04 Hans Niemann shows at round 1 of Grenke Chess after 12 days radio silence
17.04. Round 1 pairings of Grenke with Hans Niemann playing
19.04 Interview with Hans Niemann at Grenke

Netflix UNTOLD 2025 will take a look at the chess cheating scandal Carlsen – Niemann. “All-new films for UNTOLD are coming in 2025 — including the 2009 locker room gun incident between Washington Wizards players Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton; the chess grandmaster cheating scandal; and the Liver King’s steroid scandal,” says the official announcement of Netflix. The episode Carlsen – Niemann on Netflix is scheduled for April and will be aired soon. Full info here But there is more: Netflix have already predicted the success of the episode Carlsen – Niemann, even before airing. At this moment they are collecting material for Episode 2. The organizers of Grenke 2025 have confirmed that the actual team of Netflix shooting on site is composed of 13 people.

Grenke Freestyle round 6 pairings

Bo.WhiteRtgPts.ResultPts.BlackRtg
1GMLiang, Awonder26925GMCarlsen, Magnus2837
2GMMendonca, Leon Luke2643GMMaghsoodloo, Parham2684
3GMSarana, Alexey2672GMPultinevicius, Paulius2558
4GMJobava, Baadur2600GMBluebaum, Matthias2662
5GMKeymer, Vincent271844GMAryan Chopra,2620
6GMKarthikeyan, Murali265144GMCaruana, Fabiano2776
7GMNepomniachtchi, Ian275744GMAnton Guijarro, David2639
8GMSvane, Rasmus262544GMDominguez Perez, Leinier2738
9GMNiemann, Hans Moke273644GMMovsesian, Sergei2591
10GMErdogmus, Yagiz Kaan261844GMYu, Yangyi2714
11GMMikhalevski, Victor251344GMEsipenko, Andrey2696
12GMYoo, Christopher Woojin258844GMVan Foreest, Jorden2681
13GMTabatabaei, M. Amin266144GMFridman, Daniel2582
14GMPranesh M,257244GMOparin, Grigoriy2660
15GMMamedov, Rauf265744GMGokerkan, Cem Kaan2489
16GMErigaisi Arjun,2782GMBogner, Sebastian2545
17GMLivaic, Leon2536GMAravindh, Chithambaram VR.2749
18GMSchoppen, Casper2529GMSo, Wesley2748
19IMKilic, Eray247333IMSong, Julien2309
20GMAronian, Levon2747GMKadric, Denis2533
21IMAssaubayeva, Bibisara2494GMLe, Quang Liem2729
22GMRapport, Richard2722IMFinek, Vaclav2501
23IMFeuerstack, Aljoscha2458GMVachier-Lagrave, Maxime2722
24GMSindarov, Javokhir2706GMKlekowski, Maciej2474
25GMRobson, Ray2692GMRaja Harshit,2474
26GMGrischuk, Alexander2682IMKoelle, Tobias2459
27IMPantzar, Milton2445GMSvane, Frederik2668
28GMNavara, David2665IMDruska, Juraj2442
29GMDardha, Daniel2650IMSorensen, Hampus2436
30GMBacrot, Etienne2633GMWirig, Anthony2433
31GMKollars, Dmitrij2623IMGschnitzer, Adrian2430
32GMKamsky, Gata2603IMLeisch, Lukas2407
33IMHacker, Jonas2370GMHuschenbeth, Niclas2601
34WGMHeinemann, Josefine2342GMPiorun, Kacper2577
35GMSonis, Francesco2576FMKueppers, Timo2292
36FMHuber, Benedikt2261GMSmeets, Jan2568
37Boev, Viktor2235GMVogel, Roven2557
38GMGrigoriants, Sergey2552Kukushkin, Ivan2030
39GMGrandelius, Nils264033FMDathe, Frederick2311
40GMKraemer, Martin257733FMTuncer, Tuna2328
41FMBecker, Matthias232033GMBasso, Pier Luigi2508
42FMSklokin, Sergey230533IMAizenberg, Benny2450
43IMZatonskih, Anna230033IMKucuksari, Kaan2440
44IMWagner, Dinara243533FMMoritz, Aron2305
45IMScholz, Christian, Dr.228433IMRosner, Jonas2430
46CMMeyers, Mark226733IMKrause, Benedict2420
47IMSouleidis, Georgios241833FMRinguet, Noe2304
48WGMBerend, Elvira225233GMAbergel, Thal2415
49GMYankelevich, Lev241333IMBeltran Rueda, Santiago2278
50IMDionisi, Thomas241033FMWehner, Roland2249
51Casagrande, Federico218033IMReuker, Jari2406
52Szakmary, Domonkos215433IMDobrikov, Marco2404
53IMHess, Max240033CMFerey, Antonin2236
54CMKumala, Aleksander213133IMPastar, Slaven2359
55FMZienkiewicz, Jan234833Zolfagharian, Kevin2207
56FMSzalay-Ocsak, Bank212633IMLoeffler, Stefan2345
57FMMiller, Eduard233833Jeschke, Jan2139
58Tibke, Jonas203033FMDragicevic, Drazen2334
59FMTomaszewski, Kacper233033Kremser, Michael2024
60Hillermann, Vinzenz2227GMWagner, Dennis2607
61Koehler, Christian Friedrich2223GMTang, Andrew2529
62IMInjac, Teodora2455FMCiolek, Andreas2198
63FMMoeller, Hendrik2217GMDeviatkin, Andrei2442
64Stichter, Constantin Paul2189IMThavandiran, Shiyam2398
65IMAbel, Dennes2389Wolter, Detlev2169
66FMMoehn, Hans2385FMOlsson, Linus2166
67Kearns, Christopher2186FMRuiz Buendia, Miguel2353
68IMLangheinrich, Ferenc2347Maisch, Julian2153
69Colonetti, Fabio2170IMSeul, Georg2329
70WIMMuetsch, Annmarie2329Lohr, Maximilian2151
71FMZieher, Hartmut2144FMDauner, Benedikt2324
72Duson, Robin2131IMZeller, Frank2318
73CMSoucek, Jan2309Kuehn, Kolja2126
74Schormann, Conrad2111IMLammers, Markus2304
75FMPoeck, Ole2304Wu, Luka2109
76CMHeron, Andrew2100FMHoeffer, David2295
77FMFranc, Borna2281Isacesco, Frederic2066
78IMBrendel, Oliver2278Hess, Markus, Dr.2057
79FMGallasch, Jonas2277Paeslack, Luis2032
80Arns, Alexander1985CMNissinen, Niilo Man2268
81Alshihawi, Obai1963IMCotonnec, Melkior2265
82FMJahncke, Giso2241Kuever, Bastian1920
83IMBournel, Antoine24232Valean, David-Andrei1961
84FMNoy, Eyal234622FMAhn, Martin2124
85FMKnudsen, Simon228922Mueller, Elias2115
86Dieterle, Patrik212522FMMundorf, Johannes2288
87FMRuff, Maximilian223522Schallner, Marc2101
88Uhlmann, Tim210822FMMostertman, Milan2218
89Hofmann, Lorenz210422CMLaemmel, Sebastian2210
90Tischler, Michel208022FMBach, Matthias2207
91Brandt, Sebastian219822Morgenthaler, Stefan2074
92Richter, Leonard219822Kribben, Matthias, Dr.2060
93Medvedovski, Michael205822Vogel, Constantin2193
94Geist, Tim205422Klein, Joachim2186
95Schimnatkowski, Lukas218522Hoffmann, Jens2057
96Diyap, Murat216822Shevkunov, Vladyslav2050
97Gramb, Marius216522Braeutigam, Thomas2032
98Cervelli, Eduard205222Ahner, Thomas2164
99CMQuilter, Thomas A216222Rosenboom, Niko2030
100Berresheim, Helmut203322Player, Edmund C2161
101CMSliwicki, Damian215722Leck, Gerrit2028
102Leibbrand, Udo202722Ellis, Antoine2156
103Thomsen, Phil215622Bleuzen, Cedric2003
104Dietze, Sebastian215122Rombach, Michael2019
105WFMKhrapko, Marharyta214622Wong, Yen-Hsiu Elliot1987
106Ott, Mathias201722FMLoew, Gerald2142
107Nickel, Ruediger198322FMBalint, Vilmos2140
108Seidel, Knut197422Stork, Christopher2132
109Schinkowski, Christoph213022Blaschke, Henri Johannes1964
110Loheide, Michel195522FMBremond, Eric2129
111CMGermer, Philipp212922Schoettker, Jochen1955
112Pfatteicher, Lukas22102Degro, Heiko1948
113Zenari, Marco2142Heinke, Jasper2052
114Emans, Job2134Leck, Jakob2046
115Dunn, Andrew M2117Doenitz, Christian, Dr.2015
116Nickel, Arno2052D’angerio, Alessandro2106
117Kommer, Bas2086Reimold, Jonas2039
118Werner, Martin, Dr.2021Keller, Yannik2083
119Kern, Nicolas2080Merz, Leander1957
120Wagner, Bernd2069Wadhwa, Aayush1916
121Baeumer, Frank1966Herms Agullo, Jordi2068
122Musaelyan, Arshavir1961Bahmann, Micha2061
123Markina, Sofiia1887Nicolai, Tim2053
124FMHaag, Wolfgang217511Sesselmann, Christoph2031
125Spieker, Michael202411Germer, Marcel2130
126Hoffmann, Tim201111Narr, Kevin2128
127Farmani Anosheh, Yasha211411Jaeschke, Benno2008
128Siegert, Gregor211311Cabela, Filip2000
129Steinhart, Karl-Heinz211011Gold, Jan Christian1997
130Hell, Pascal210311Hematyar, Fardin1990
131Luhn, Robert198811Huhn, Stefan2076
132Schaub, Marc195611Mrotzek, Alexander2071
133Wu, Leon206711Schmitt, Hans Walter1986
134Stara, Zuzana206011Mueller, Mark1979
135Bratu, Mircea204611Woelk, Marvin1958
136Barthel, Ansgar204211Bugaj, Hanna1953
137Heyl, Thomas193511CMSadeghi, Hassan Roger2038
138Schottmueller, Christoph19431½Wiesner, Frank2048
139Richter, Daniel1937½½Tencati, Giuseppe2031
140Wiesner, Alexander1962½½Precour, Juergen2010
141Volk, Oskar2001½½Standhartinger, Joachim1980
142WFMMatskevich, Varvara1989½½Halas, Julia1978
143Gabriel, Josef19940bye
144GMMamedyarov, Shakhriyar2748not paired
145IMCaprio, Guido2405not paired
146Aleskerov, Faik23152not paired
147Falk, Ulrich, Prof. Dr.22380not paired
148FMFichter, Fabian2235not paired
149CMHauser, Carlos, Dr.22191not paired
150Hamid, Emran22031not paired

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Chess speaks for itself, with Hans Niemann at Grenke https://www.chessdom.com/chess-speaks-for-itself-with-hans-niemann-at-grenke/ Sat, 19 Apr 2025 15:12:16 +0000 https://www.chessdom.com/?p=98632 Chess speaks for itself and Hans Niemann speaks chess at an interview with Fiona Steil-Antoni at Grenke Chess 2025 (live games / information).

Hans Niemann comments extensively on the peculiarity of castling in Freestyle chess. (Fun fact: in 5 positions castling on the first move f1g1 is the best move in Freestyle! An article about this coming soon on Chessdom)

Hans Niemann notes the importance of Grenke, “For the fans it is a great experience, I have to sign pictures and give autographs here more than any other tournament of the year”

In this interview Fiona Steil-Antoni asks what is the role of Vladimir Kramnik. Hans Niemann’s answer is not a surprise.

Hans Niemann in conversation with Fiona Steil-Antoni

Hans Niemann withdrew last minute from Paris Freestyle 2025. The news came right after the official technical meeting on April 5 at 19:00 CET.“Personal reasons” was the official reason given by the organizers for the withdraw of Niemann from Paris Freestyle. Since then he disappeared off the radar, without a single message or explanation. That was until he showed up at R1 of Grenke.

05.04. Norwegian TV reports that Niemann is withdrawing after he was informed about anti-cheating
05.04 Breaking: Hans Niemann withdraws from Freestyle Chess Paris 2025 (rolling updates)
06.04 Reactions to Hans Niemann withdrawing from Paris Freestyle Chess 2025
06.04 Chess Song: Disappearing stars (Hans Niemann & Alireza Firouza) #TweetOftheDay
06.04 The organizer of Freestyle Chess Paris comments on the withdraw of Hans Niemann
17.04 Hans Niemann shows at round 1 of Grenke Chess after 12 days radio silence
17.04. Round 1 pairings of Grenke with Hans Niemann playing
19.04 Interview with Hans Niemann at Grenke

Upcoming Netflix UNTOLD episode this April

Netflix UNTOLD 2025 will take a look at the chess cheating scandal Carlsen – Niemann. “All-new films for UNTOLD are coming in 2025 — including the 2009 locker room gun incident between Washington Wizards players Gilbert Arenas and Javaris Crittenton; the chess grandmaster cheating scandal; and the Liver King’s steroid scandal,” says the official announcement of Netflix. The episode Carlsen – Niemann on Netflix is scheduled for April and will be aired soon. Full info here

But there is more: Netflix have already predicted the success of the episode Carlsen – Niemann, even before airing. At this moment they are collecting material for Episode 2. More information about this, soon on Chessdom.

More about Grenke Chess 2025

Grenke Chess 2025 is a massive chess event that takes place 17-21 April in Germany. Thirteen days before the start of the event it crossed the 2900 players mark, and eventually collected 3000+ players. The festival contains the Grenke Open and the Grenke Freestyle Chess with Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Arjun Erigaisi, etc. See live games / information and schedule

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A day of surprises at Grenke https://www.chessdom.com/a-day-of-surprises-at-grenke/ Fri, 18 Apr 2025 18:34:09 +0000 https://www.chessdom.com/?p=98597 The first round of the massive Grenke Chess 2025 (live games / information and schedule) saw practically no upsets. We have to go down to board 43 to actually find a result that is not a victory for the favorite.

Round 2 and 3 were a different story. Not only we saw a massive amount of upsets, but in many cases the underdogs had the chance to win even more games, just blundering in key moments a favorable position.

Round 2 unexpected results (top 50 boards)

Board 2: Arjun Erigaisi – Cem Kaan Gokerkan 1/2-1/2
Board 5: Maciej Klekowski – Chithambaram VR. Aravindh 1-0
Board 6: Shakhriyar Mamedyarov – Tobias Koelle 1/2-1/2
Board 13: Juraj Druska – Maxime Vachier-Lagrave 1-0
Board 14: Vincent Keymer – Anthony Wirig 1/2-1/2
Board 20: Thal Abergel – Parham Maghsoodloo 1/2-1/2
Board 31: Daniel Dardha – Georg Seul 1/2-1/2
Board 37: Sergey Sklokin – Chopra Aryan 1/2-1/2
Board 39: Ole Poeck – Dennis Wagner 1/2-1/2
Board 41: Baadur Jobava – Santiago Beltran Rueda 1/2-1/2
Board 43: Christopher Woojin Yoo – Niilo Man Nissinen 1/2-1/2
Board 44: Timo Kueppers – Daniel Fridman 1/2-1/2

Round 3 unexpected results (top 20 boards)

Board 2: Fabiano Caruana – Etienne Bacrot 0-1
Board 3: Leon Luke Mendoca – Ian Nepomniachtchi 1-0
Board 4: Wesley So – Dmitij Kollars 0-1
Board 5: David Guijarro Anton – Levon Aronian 1/2-1/2
Board 6: Leinier Dominguez Perez – Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus 1/2-1/2
Board 7: Rasmus Svane – Hans Niemann 1/2-1/2
Board 8: Le Quang Liem – Gata Kamsky 1/2-1/2
Board 13: Pranesh – Ray Robson 1-0
Board 14: Jan Smeets – Alexander Grischuk 1-0
Board 17: Frederik Svane – Leon Livacic 1/2-1/2
Board 18: Denis Kadric – David Navara 1/2-1/2




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Alexander Grischuk: “I prefer blitz, rapid of freestyle” https://www.chessdom.com/alexander-grischuk-i-prefer-blitz-rapid-of-freestyle/ Fri, 18 Apr 2025 07:45:19 +0000 https://www.chessdom.com/?p=98585 Grenke Chess 2025 is a massive chess event that takes place 17-21 April in Germany (live games / information and schedule). Among the many strong players is Alexander Grischuk, who gave an interview for the organizers.

Alexander Grischuk says that freestyle chess removes this “this idiotic 6 hours preparation for the game.” He adds, “Classical is my least preferred format, it is either blitz, rapid of freestyle”.

Alexander Grischuk about Grenke and Freestyle

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Hans Niemann shows up at Grenke after 12 days radio silence https://www.chessdom.com/hans-niemann-shows-up-at-grenke-after-12-days-radio-silence/ Thu, 17 Apr 2025 17:11:55 +0000 https://www.chessdom.com/?p=98564 Yes, you have read the title correctly! Hans Niemann is not killed, nor is in jail as some speculations suggested. He is alive and ready for action at round 1 of Grenke Freestyle Chess. (see the pairings here / follow the live games)

“Personal reasons” was the official reason given by the organizers for the withdraw of Niemann from Paris Freestyle. Since then he disappeared off the radar, without a single message or explanation. That is until today, when he showed up at R1 of Grenke.

Chessdom.com had early indications this morning that Hans Niemann may be in Grenke. The news got confirmed right before the round.

A little later a photo confirmation was also received, before videos started to come.

The story of Hans Niemann disappearance so far

05.04. Norwegian TV reports that Niemann is withdrawing after he was informed about anti-cheating
05.04 Breaking: Hans Niemann withdraws from Freestyle Chess Paris 2025 (rolling updates)
06.04 Reactions to Hans Niemann withdrawing from Paris Freestyle Chess 2025
06.04 Chess Song: Disappearing stars (Hans Niemann & Alireza Firouza) #TweetOftheDay
06.04 The organizer of Freestyle Chess Paris comments on the withdraw of Hans Niemann
17.04 Hans Niemann shows at round 1 of Grenke Chess after 12 days radio silence

More about Grenke Chess 2025

Grenke Chess 2025 is a massive chess event that takes place 17-21 April in Germany. Thirteen days before the start of the event it crossed the 2900 players mark, and eventually collected 3000+ players. The festival contains the Grenke Open and the Grenke Freestyle Chess with Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Arjun Erigaisi, etc. See live games / information and schedule

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Round 1 pairings of Grenke Chess https://www.chessdom.com/round-1-pairings-of-grenke-chess/ Thu, 17 Apr 2025 17:03:30 +0000 https://www.chessdom.com/?p=98562 Grenke Chess 2025 is a massive chess event that takes place 17-21 April in Germany. Thirteen days before the start of the event it crossed the 2900 players mark, and eventually collected 3000+ players. The festival contains the Grenke Open and the Grenke Freestyle Chess with Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, Arjun Erigaisi, etc. See live games / information and schedule

These are the round 1 pairings, with Hans Niemann showing up at the tournament. See the drama so far:

05.04. Norwegian TV reports that Niemann is withdrawing after he was informed about anti-cheating
05.04 Breaking: Hans Niemann withdraws from Freestyle Chess Paris 2025 (rolling updates)
06.04 Reactions to Hans Niemann withdrawing from Paris Freestyle Chess 2025
06.04 Chess Song: Disappearing stars (Hans Niemann & Alireza Firouza) #TweetOftheDay
06.04 The organizer of Freestyle Chess Paris comments on the withdraw of Hans Niemann
17.04 Hans Niemann shows at round 1 of Grenke Chess after 12 days radio silence

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