GM Levon Aronian has been crowned the $200,000 winner of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Las Vegas on Sunday after overcoming GM Hans Niemann 1.5-0.5 in the Final. Aronian held firm in an opposite-colored bishop ending in the first before putting on a masterclass to take the match.
In a playoff for third against GM Hikaru Nakamura, GM Magnus Carlsen won $100,000, following his exile to the lower bracket in the wake of an underwhelming group stage performance.
This is a flash report. The full report, including game analysis, photos, reactions, and video content, will be added soon.
Upper Bracket
Lower Bracket
Aronian 1.5-0.5 Niemann
Congratulations to @LevAronian for winning the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas 👏
He defeated Hikaru, Arjun, and Hans on his way to claiming #FreestyleChess victory! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NpapJMJ7oK
— Chess.com (@chesscom) July 20, 2025
The game that clinched $200,000 and the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam title for Aronian will be analyzed by GM Rafael Leitao and added shortly.
Prize Fund
How to Review
The $750,000 third leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam was played in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 16-20. Participants include GMs Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Arjun Erigaisi, Fabiano Caruana, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So, Levon Aronian, Leinier Dominguez, and Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa. All games are played in freestyle chess.
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