Ananya: D Gukesh vs. Magnus Carlsen is not happening in Las Vegas; The freestyle chess shows why the world champion is not playing. Chess news
New Delhi: The official line-up for Las Vegas leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour was released on Tuesday, and a name was clearly absent. World champion D Gukesh, who was expected to be taken to Magnus Carlsen once again, was not listed in 16 players set to fight in Sin City from 16 to 20 July.Now, freestyle chess co-founder and CEO Jaan Henrik Buutner has given the reason behind late changes.“He said he is tired and needed rest,” Buettner told Timesofindia.com during a special conversation.“His performance has not been good in any Grand Slam. We were always hoping that he would reject to attend the next event,” said Butener.“Anyway, he had an invitation (for Las Vegas leg). So after his good performance in Paris, he was still ready for work. He said, ‘We are coming. I will come to Las Vegas, “he said.“But then, Norway was a chess. It tired her a lot. Even I was tired. He was so tired that I got a message. He said that he is tired and would like to rest. He cannot come to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, he needs rest. So, you know, it is understood.”Buetner confirmed that Vidit is now formally included in line-up in place of Gukesh. “So we invited Vidit again as a replacement. So Vidit will wear Gukesh’s red jacket in Vegas this time,” he said.
D Gukesh, Vidit Gujrathi, Arjun Erigasi, and R Praggananandha from left to left (Photo Credit: Chesbase India)
In the freestyle chess, it has become a tradition for players to wear uniquely colored jackets – such as in Paris, where R Pragnanda wore a green, Arjun Egiyasi Blue, Vidit Marun and Gukesh Red.The return comes at a time when Gukesh is trying to attack the stability on the freestyle chess circuit. After finishing eighth position in Visenhus and Paris, the 19 -year -old finished 11th with only four FCC points. Post-grain opened, he came to 16th position.However, Gukesh recently showed his class in the Norway Chess Tournament, where he finished third-Klsen and Fabiano Karuana-and won the top three fid-rated players: Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Arjun Erigasi.
Meanwhile, the Las Vegas event, the fourth stop of the 2025 Grand Slam Tour will be on the first US earth of freestyle chess. Hosted in Wynn Las Vegas from 16 to 20 July, the tournament would welcome a live audience and offer a $ 750,000 prize with $ 200,000 for the winner.In another development reported for the first time by Timesofyndia.com on Thursday, the Indian leg of the freestyle chess Grand Slam on September 17-24 in New Delhi has been canceled due to lack of sponsors. Meanwhile, Jane Heinrich Butonner would step down as CEO on 1 July, in which COO Thomas Harsh set to handle the daily operation. Buettner will continue as an executive president in a strategic role.
