Carlsen stays with the St. Pauli

by Press release
6/20/2025 – Thanks to the help of Magnus Carlsen and his "Viking" friends, FC St. Pauli was able to stay in the German Bundesliga in the 2024/25 season. During his appearance for St. Pauli, Carlsen also made headlines beyond the chess world. The cult club has now announced that the world’s best chess player will continue to wear the club's colors next year. | Photo: André Schulz
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Press release from the chess division of FC St. Pauli

Magnus Carlsen extends his contract with FC St. Pauli:
Chess division kicks off the 2025/26 Bundesliga season with the world star

Let our authors show you how Carlsen tailored his openings to be able to outplay his opponents strategically in the middlegame or to obtain an enduring advantage into the endgame.

The chess division of FC St. Pauli is delighted to announce a special extension: Magnus Carlsen, longtime world number one and former World Chess Champion, will once again take the board for the club’s Bundesliga team in the 2025/26 season. The Norwegian star highlights the ambitious development of the FC St. Pauli Chess project. Carlsen joined FC St. Pauli in 2024 as part of a forward-looking partnership with the WEISSENHAUS Chess Academy, founded by entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner.

Looking back on the past season, Carlsen draws a positive conclusion: "The past season was a great success for the team. We proved that we can hold our own in the Bundesliga and compete with the best teams. I’m looking forward to continuing to support the team’s development – and to contributing to it."

Carlsen’s participation not only drew international attention but also brought world-class performances to the board. His continued presence is seen as a strong signal for the long-term goals of the division: to establish FC St. Pauli as a permanent fixture in the Chess Bundesliga – with a clear stance and a distinctive style.

Thomas Schüttler, head of the chess division at FC St. Pauli, adds: “Magnus Carlsen is not only an exceptional player, his presence has inspired the entire environment. We’re very pleased that he’s staying on board – together, we are writing a special chapter in German chess for FC St. Pauli.”

Jan Henric Buettner, initiator of Freestyle Chess and sponsor of the team, is also pleased: "It’s fantastic that Magnus will be playing for FC St. Pauli again in the coming season. His decision underscores the strength of our joint project and our ambition to make chess more popular in Germany. We’re proud to continue supporting this team – and excited about the challenges ahead."

The specific dates when Carlsen will play will be announced at a later time.

About FC St. Pauli Chess

In recent years, the chess division of FC St. Pauli has established itself as a competitively ambitious and culturally distinct force in German chess. With the support of Freestyle Chess, additional partners, and a roster that includes world-class players, the club aims to achieve long-term success in the Bundesliga – and to make the game more accessible and engaging for a broader audience.

FC St. Pauli chess...

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Topics: FC St. Pauli, Magnus Carlsen
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