"Maybe Freestyle Chess is my next calling!" - An interview with Anna Cramling

by ChessBase
2/17/2025 – Anna Cramling is one of the most popular chess streamers, and she also streamed from the Freestyle Chess Tournament in Weissenhaus. Arne Kähler took the opportunity to interview Anna, and she shared her bittersweet feelings about the end of the Freestyle Chess event, expressing how much she would miss the atmosphere and the people. She also reflected on her experience of playing against Alexandra Botez, emphasising how Freestyle Chess made her think from the very first move. Anna also discussed her journey as a chess streamer, how her content has evolved through travel and street chess, and her excitement at winning the Twitch Streamer Award. She revealed plans for extensive travel, including a secret event in Paris, and expressed hope for more women's freestyle chess tournaments in the future.
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arzi arzi 2/19/2025 08:58
To Mamacki and PhishMaster: If people want to play Freestyle I have no problemoo. If those same people want to start new "FIDE" to play Freestyle World Championship I will say "Please do that". I just hope that they keep they hands off the real chess and also stop talking about "Draw Death " of chess because it is not true. I agree you PhishMaster that FIDE does not have exclusive rights to the word "World championship" or "Freestyle" but on chess they may have.
Mamack1 Mamack1 2/19/2025 12:08
arzi, I sympathise.

Frankly one resents attempts to *force* me to be interested in something I have little natural interest in.
PhishMaster PhishMaster 2/18/2025 02:05
@arzi I am also not a fan of freestyle at all...but, I am not on FIDE's side though when it comes to using the term "World Championship".
arzi arzi 2/18/2025 06:40
Maybe bridge or poker is her next calling? This is starting to taste like a force-feeding by Chessbase. Freestylechess this, Freestylechess that. Perhaps Chessbase should consider to change its name to Freestylechessbase? How well do opening database programs, such as Chessbase 18, sell on Freestylechess? Just a thought.
basler88 basler88 2/17/2025 07:46
I truly enjoyed the interview, and I just wanted to say how much I appreciate Anna's wonderful personality. She has a remarkable ability to inspire and motivate others. Thank you, Anna, for sharing your warmth and insight!
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