Freestyle Chess Kicks Off Landmark Week in Las Vegas

by Press release
7/14/2025 – With an opening press conference at Wynn Las Vegas, Freestyle Chess has officially launched its first-ever U.S. event: a full week of chess, celebrity, and competition. The week began with the Chesstival on July 13, and will continue with the $750,000 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam from July 16 to 20. | Photo: freestyle_chess and wwwchesscom
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Freestyle Chess Press Release, Las Vegas, NV – July 13, 2025

Jan Henric Buettner opens Grand Slam event and Chesstival at Wynn

The Chesstival brings together NBA stars such as Derrick Rose, Rajon Rondo, and Tony Snell, teaming up with the world’s chess elite for a light-hearted but competitive pro-am chess showdown. Chesstival also features the NBA Blitz Chess Championship that carries a $50,000 charity prize fund.

Live-Stream of the Chesstival

Given Rose’s investment in Freestyle Chess, linking his Chesstival concept to the Freestyle tour was a logical step. In the Wynn, the NBA stars will play in the same setup that later hosts the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, giving them an opportunity to experience a chess super-tournament environment firsthand.

Speaking in the Lafite Ballroom, Freestyle co-founder Jan Henric Buettner welcomed media and guests ahead of a week that expands the global Freestyle Chess tour into uncharted territory. "We have the top eight U.S. players facing off against the top from the rest of the world – a setup that makes the Las Vegas Grand Slam especially exciting,” said Buettner.

The Las Vegas Grand Slam marks a number of firsts for Freestyle Chess: the first Grand Slam on U.S. soil, the first with 16 players, among them the first woman to play a Grand Slam, the first live audience seated near the stage, and the first with live commentary available through silent headsets. The production is designed to bring fans closer than ever – with immersive visuals and a format built for drama.

New format, more pressure

The Las Vegas tournament introduces a 16-player format with a double elimination structure. After an initial group stage with rapid time control (10 minutes plus 10 seconds per move), the players enter a championship or placement bracket depending on their results. Players eliminated from the top bracket cannot return to the final – at most, they can finish in third place. All knockout rounds will be played with a 30+30 classical time control, counting toward the official Freestyle rating.

The format guarantees that every match has consequences – win and move forward, lose twice and you’re out. It’s a structure that intensifies the competition and rewards consistency under pressure.

After three events, world number one and Freestyle Chess co-founder Magnus Carlsen leads the Freestyle Grand Slam pack with 65 points, followed by Fabiano Caruana (39) and Vincent Keymer (37). These two as well as Hikaru Nakamura (28) in fourth place will need strong results in Las Vegas to stay within striking distance. Every match counts – for placement, for Elo, and for qualification to the final in Cape Town.

In parallel, the Freestyle Elo rating continues to evolve. Las Vegas is the first event to use the faster 30+30 classical control, with all 30+30 games contributing to the players’ ratings. Will Carlsen set a new record after being the first to break the 2900 barrier?

Side events, crossover energy and new opportunities

Past Grand Slams have already hosted friendly poker games with players, organizers, and staff after the chess battles. In Las Vegas – the city synonymous with poker and high-stakes drama – poker tournaments will be a regular part of the week’s side program. They deepen the vibrant crossover between chess, entertainment, and fierce competition that Freestyle is aiming to build.

The Las Vegas event also serves as a launchpad for Freestyle Chess’s next phase of growth. It brings together partners and stakeholders interested in shaping the future of the sport.

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