Press release
Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Finals in South Africa –
The World’s Best Gather in Cape Town for Year-end Showdown
Cape Town / Hamburg, October 2025 – The 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam will conclude in South Africa. From December 8 to 11, eight of the world’s top grandmasters will compete at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in the Western Cape – the first Grand Slam ever held on African soil.
The field reads like a who’s who of modern chess:
- Magnus Carlsen (Norway)
- Fabiano Caruana (United States)
- Vincent Keymer (Germany)
- Arjun Erigaisi (India)
- Levon Aronian (United States)
- Hans Niemann (United States)
- Parham Maghsoodloo (Iran)
- Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan)
All eight will compete for the final Grand Slam title of 2025 – and the right to be crowned Freestyle Chess Champion 2025.
South Africa welcomes Freestyle Chess
Organized by Freestyle Chess, the South Africa Finals combine world-class competition with a celebration of local chess culture. With the kind support of Chess South Africa and more than twenty clubs from the Cape Town area, the event will transform the region into a meeting point for chess players and fans alike.
Overlooking the Atlantic coast and framed by coastal hills, Grootbos provides a spectacular stage for the world’s most creative players. Magnus Carlsen, Freestyle Chess co-founder, world number one, and tour leader, calls the venue “a perfect ending to an incredible season”, adding that Freestyle Chess “has brought back the feeling of pure discovery – you never know the position, you have to think and create. To finish the tour in such a spectacular setting feels right”.
“Each Freestyle Chess venue has had its own magic”, says Freestyle Chess Founder & CEO Jan Henric Buettner. “Grootbos stands for discovery: a new continent, a new culture, and a new connection to a passionate chess community. It’s the perfect final of a journey that has taken Freestyle Chess around the world”.
Freestyle Chess COO Thomas Harsch about the spirit of the Grand Slam Finals: “Our events are designed to be experiences, not just tournaments. South Africa gives us the chance to connect with new audiences and local clubs who share the same enthusiasm for the game. We’re deeply grateful for the hospitality and support we’ve received – even before it begins”.
The opening spectacle – Underwater Ches
Festivities begin on December 4 at Cape Town’s Silo Hotel, where the official press conference will open the Grand Slam Finals at 11:00 a.m. local time – bringing together all eight players, media, and invited guests. Later that day, competitors will quite literally dive into a new dimension of the game during the Underwater Chess exhibition tournament.
Etan Ilfeld, the London-based inventor of Diving Chess and founder of the Mind Sports Olympiad, will serve as advisor for the underwater exhibition at the Silo Hotel. Ilfeld’s underwater variant, created in 2012, has since grown into an international phenomenon with annual world championships in London and national events in Germany, Poland, Austriaand the Netherlands. Michal Mazurkiewicz, reigning World Diving Chess Champion, will attend to lend his expertise, while Hans Niemann has already announced his ambition: “I’m not just here to win the Freestyle Chess Finals – I plan to become the first Freestyle Chess Underwater Champion”.
That evening, the players will move to the Grand Africa Café & Beach for the Welcome Beach Party and the live drawing of lots for the Round Robin stage. The following day, the tournament’s guests and players will gather in Stanford for a Welcome Reception and Dinner at Grootbos, attended by South African dignitaries.
The competition – Daily public viewing
The Freestyle Chess Finals follow the Grand Slam’s established structure: a Round Robin rapid stage (10 + 5) followed by three knockout days (30 + 15) to decide the champion. For the first time, tour points will also be awarded for the Round Robin standings – from eight down to one – while points for the Finals are doubled.
Heading into South Africa, Carlsen leads the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour with 80 points, followed by Fabiano Caruana (49) and Vincent Keymer (39) – both within striking distance. Sebastian Siebrecht, Tournament Director of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Finals: “With tour points doubled, nothing is settled. It’s the race among the best of the best; and in Freestyle Chess, every new position can turn the standings upside down”.
From December 8 to 11, fans can follow the action live in Cape Town at a venue yet to be announced, which will feature daily public viewing and live commentary throughout the tournament. Andre Lewaks, President of Chess South Africa, said the federation is proud to support the event and its organizers: “It’s a privilege to host the world’s best players on our soil. Chess South Africa appreciates the spirit of collaboration and the opportunity this brings to our local clubs and fans”.
During the tournament, Freestyle Chess will run two parallel livestreams. The Pro Stream will feature Peter Leko, Judit Polgar and Niclas Huschenbeth providing expert commentary and analysis, while the Community Stream with Tania Sachdev, David Howell and James “Dash” Patterson will bring a more relaxed and interactive look at the games and atmosphere. Due to limited space at Grootbos, there will be no ticket sales for spectators.
Media Contact & Accreditation
media@freestylechess.com
Press Conference Venue
The Silo Hotel
Silo Square, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
Live Broadcast Press Conference
www.youtube.com/@freestyle_chess_media
Media contact
FREESTYLE CHESS GRAND SLAM TOUR
FREESTYLE CHESS PLAYERS CLUB
FREESTYLE CHESS ACADEMY
Hock und Partner – Beratungsgesellschaft
für Marketing und Kommunikation mbH
Till Behrend
Rothenbaumchaussee 1
D-20148 Hamburg
T: +49 (0) 40 413 228-0
M: +49 (0) 151 4231 7721
t.behrend@hock-partner.de
media@freestyle-chess.com
www.freestyle-chess.com
