Press release

Following a $20 million fundraise, the inaugural U.S. tournament will also introduce a live audience along with “Chesstival” – featuring prominent NBA stars

Freestyle Chess, the innovative chess league co-founded by Magnus Carlsen and Jan Henric Buettner that prioritizes creativity over memorization, will bring their Grand Slam Tour to the United States for the first time this July. The event, hosted at Wynn Las Vegas, will kick off with “Chesstival” on July 13, featuring current and former NBA players in a knockout-style chess tournament. Thanks to a partnership with Chess.com, $50,000 in total prize money will be donated to the charity of the winners’ choice. The Grand Slam Tournament will follow from July 16 through July 20.

“Wynn Las Vegas offers an unparalleled stage to introduce Freestyle’s high-energy, immersive format to the U.S. – not just as a game of strategy, but as a world-class spectator experience,” said Jan Henric Buettner, CEO and co-founder of Freestyle Chess.

For the first time, chess fans can experience Freestyle Chess live, as the 2025 Grand Slam Tournament opens ticket sales to the public. Hosted in Wynn’s 50,000-square-foot Lafite Ballroom, the event will bring the tour’s dynamic energy to life with immersive production, live commentary, and storytelling. Fans can choose from three ticket tiers: general admission, VIP, and private booths with player meet-and-greets – designed to offer a world-class experience. Tickets start at $90 and are available for purchase here.

“I really believe Chesstival is one of the biggest paradigm shifts, along with Freestyle Chess, that the chess world has ever seen, and I think they're going to help grow the game,” said former NBA MVP and investor in Freestyle Chess, Derrick Rose.

The event follows Freestyle Chess raising $20 million in funding from venture capital firms such as Left Lane Capital, as well as athletes like Derrick Rose to support the expansion of its operations and global footprint. The league features top-ranked players such as five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, reigning World Chess Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, and former World Rapid Champion Hikaru Nakamura.

Each Grand Slam Tournament event offers $750,000 in prize money, setting a new benchmark for chess as a global sport. The championship at the end of the tour will crown the first Freestyle Chess Champion, marking a historic milestone in the evolution of the game. Following the rules of Chess960 (Fischer Random), which randomizes starting positions, Freestyle Chess emphasizes creativity and strategy, leveling the playing field for even the world’s best players

For more information, please visit the Freestyle Chess website here.

About Freestyle Chess
 
Freestyle Chess was founded in 2024 by Magnus Carlsen and Jan Henric Buettner, to revolutionize the game of chess. Capitalizing on the boom of interest in the sport, Freestyle Chess incorporates a unique style of gameplay featuring Fischer Random and follows the players’ heart rates throughout the matches. Working to democratize the sport, matches are available for free online, and players participate in press conferences and post-match interviews, keeping the company’s events exciting for all audiences. This year, Freestyle Chess kicked off its Grand Slam tournaments in Germany, France with upcoming stops in the United States and South Africa.

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