A New Chapter for Chess Competitions
The chess world has officially entered a bold new era with more excitement and enthusiasm.
The Grenke Chess Festival 2025, which began on (April 17), has already created waves across the global chess community. Held at the Karlsruhe Convention Centering Germany, this year’s edition introduces a groundbreaking format that merges the worlds of classical and freestyle chess.
Featuring over 3,000 players, including many of the top grandmasters on the planet, the event is poised to be the largest chess festival in the world.
And leading the charge? None other than World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen.
What’s New in 2025: Dual Tournaments, One Stage
For the first time ever, the Grenke Festival features two parallel open tournaments:
- Grenke Freestyle Chess Open 2025 – Featuring shuffled starting positions (Chess960) and a €225,000 prize pool.
- Grenke Chess Open – The classic Swiss-format tournament with a €70,000 prize fund.
Both events follow a 9-round Swiss format with classical time controls (90 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move).
Unique Twist: Format Flexibility
Players can switch from the classic Open to the Freestyle Open up until Round 5—without losing their points. This hybrid model is a first in major chess events, offering players a chance to experience both traditional and freestyle formats in a single tournament.
Tournament Categories and Prize Structure
To ensure balanced competition, both events are divided by rating bands.
Freestyle Chess Open
- Open A (Elo > 1950): €215,250 prize fund
- Open B (Elo/DWZ < 2000): €7,750
- Open C (DWZ < 1400 / Elo < 1600): €2,000
The standard Grenke Chess Open follows a similar structure, with prizes scaled accordingly.
Prize Highlights:
- 1st place (A-Open): €60,000 + Trophy
- 2nd place: €40,000
- 3rd place: €30,000
- Top 15 receive cash prizes
The winner of the Freestyle Open will also qualify directly for the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in New York City this July.
World-Class Lineup: The Stars Are Here
Fans in Karlsruhe are in for a treat with a lineup stacked with elite talent:
- Magnus Carlsen (NOR, 2837) – 18-time World Champion
- Arjun Erigaisi (IND, 2782)
- Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2776)
- Ian Nepomniachtchi (RUS, 2757)
- Wesley So, Levon Aronian, Hans Niemann, Vincent Keymer, and more
The spotlight is also on a potential rematch between Carlsen and Vincent Keymer, after the German prodigy stunned the champion in Weissenhaus earlier this year.
Tournament Schedule
| Round | Date | Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 17 | 18:30 |
| 2 | April 18 | 10:00 |
| 3 | April 18 | 16:00 |
| 4 | April 19 | 10:00 |
| 5 | April 19 | 16:00 |
| 6 | April 20 | 10:00 |
| 7 | April 20 | 16:00 |
| 8 | April 21 | 10:00 |
| 9 | April 21 | 16:00 |
The awards ceremony will take place following Round 9 on April 21.
A New Era of Chess
This festival is more than just a tournament. It’s a signal of how chess is evolving:
- Traditional vs Freestyle – Players and fans get both experiences.
- Accessibility – Categories for every rating group.
- Hybrid Participation – A flexible structure that breaks old molds.
“The stars will play in the Grenke Freestyle Chess Open, which is open to everyone. There’s no better way to combine popular and competitive chess,” said Sven Noppes, Tournament Director.
“Grenke has been passionately committed to chess for decades,” added Dr. Sebastian Hirsch, CEO of Grenke AG.
Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour Points
Not just about the money—players are also fighting for tour points:
| Place | Tour Points |
| 1st | 25 |
| 2nd | 18 |
| 3rd | 15 |
| 4th | 12 |
| 5th | 10 |
How to Follow the Event
- Official Website: grenkechessopen.de
- Live Coverage: ChessBase, Chess.com, Lichess
- Commentary: Fiona Steil-Antoni, ChessBase India, and more
- Social Media: Use hashtags #GrenkeChess2025 and #FreestyleChess for updates, games, and analysis.
- Learn chess from No. 1 chess academy in the world Kingdomofchess
Final Thoughts: Chess, Evolved
The Grenke Freestyle Chess Open 2025 is already being hailed as a model for how major chess events can evolve. With a fresh format, elite competition, and forward-thinking organization, it delivers something for both the traditionalist and the modern chess enthusiast.
Whether you follow Carlsen’s journey, enjoy freestyle chess, or simply love the thrill of tournament drama, this year’s festival in Karlsruhe is one you don’t want to miss.