In a dramatic twist at the Freestyle Chess G.O.A.T. Challenge, Indian Grandmasters R. Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi have made it to the top bracket after the qualifiers, ensuring they remain in contention for the coveted title.

Meanwhile, former World Champion Magnus Carlsen, despite his star status, finds himself out of the race for the title. The tournament’s structure, which only allows the top bracket of players from the first set of qualifiers to remain eligible for the title, has worked against Carlsen this time.

A Format That Leaves No Room for Error

The Freestyle Chess format—also known as Chess960 or Fischer Random—has introduced a competitive edge beyond just creativity. According to the rules, only those who finish in the top bracket in the first qualifying phase are allowed to compete for the championship.

Players in the lower half, regardless of their subsequent performance, are automatically disqualified from the final title round, making the early rounds critical.

Carlsen, who was experimenting with aggressive and unorthodox positions, paid the price for inconsistency. His performance, though far from poor, was not enough to push him into the top half of the leaderboard.

Indian Duo Continue to Impress

R. Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi—two of India’s top young chess talents—have shown remarkable adaptability to the unpredictable starting positions of Freestyle Chess. Their calculated risks and tactical awareness saw them clinch key victories in the final rounds of the qualifiers.

• Praggnanandhaa, fresh from a string of successes on the global stage, played with a mix of sharp tactics and long-term planning.

• Erigaisi, known for his calm approach, capitalised on positional errors made by more seasoned opponents.

Their qualification places India in a strong position going into the next stage, and both GMs are now serious contenders for the Freestyle Chess crown.

Carlsen Reacts to Elimination

After the event, Magnus Carlsen appeared calm and philosophical about his early exit.

“The format is brutal, but that’s what makes it exciting. You can’t slip even once,” said Carlsen.
“I enjoyed the games, but yes, the rules are not forgiving.”

Carlsen’s departure has shocked fans, as the Norwegian GM is considered one of the best at adapting to irregular formats. Yet, his loss reiterates the high-stakes nature of Freestyle Chess, where one bad round can derail a title bid.

What’s Next in the Tournament

Now that the top bracket has been decided, the Freestyle Chess event enters its decisive knockout phase, where only title-eligible players will compete for the championship.

Indian fans will be closely watching Praggnanandhaa and Erigaisi, who are set to face international giants like Fabiano Caruana and Nodirbek Abdusattorov in upcoming rounds.

The rest of the participants, including Carlsen, will continue to play in classification rounds, but without a shot at the trophy.

Why Freestyle Chess Matters

Freestyle Chess is gaining traction globally for its emphasis on originality and adaptability, removing standard chess opening preparation from the equation.

In this format:

• Starting positions are randomized, meaning players cannot rely on traditional opening theory.

• Creativity, preparation, and versatility become more important than memorisation.

India’s success in such a modern and mentally flexible format is a testament to the depth of the country's new chess generation.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are Monarch Surveyors & Engineering Consultants, TSC India, Swastika Castal, Savy Infra, NSDL.

The Current active IPO are Monika Alcobev.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.