Views Now: World Chess Stunner - Champion Gukesh Exits Paris Freestyle Prelims
Views Now Desk / Durgapur / Updated: April 9, 2025 / 13:22 IST
Paris, France: The preliminary stage of the prestigious Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Paris has concluded with a seismic upset, as reigning world chess champion, India's Gukesh Dommaraju, has been eliminated from contention. The young grandmaster's campaign ended prematurely after he failed to secure a qualifying position in the fiercely competitive initial phase of the tournament.
The top echelon of the preliminary standings saw a dominant performance from two chess titans: Ian Nepomniachtchi and Magnus Carlsen. Both grandmasters concluded the stage with an impressive tally of 8.5 points. Ultimately, it was Nepomniachtchi who secured the coveted top seed for the subsequent knockout rounds, prevailing over Carlsen due to superior tiebreak calculations.
Adding to the roster of elite players advancing is French Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, who demonstrated formidable skill to finish in a commendable third position. Joining the ranks of qualifiers are India's own Arjun Erigaisi and the prodigious talent from Uzbekistan, Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Both players showcased their adaptability and strategic acumen in the innovative and fast-paced Freestyle Chess format.
American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura navigated a tense and complex endgame in his final match, ultimately securing the critical result required to advance to the next stage. However, the primary focus of post-preliminary analysis inevitably centers on the unexpected exit of Gukesh Dommaraju. The young Indian entered the tournament with significant momentum and high expectations following his recent ascent to the world championship title. His inability to progress beyond the preliminary stage represents a significant shockwave within the global chess community.
The dramatic conclusion of the prelims was further amplified by Vincent Keymer's crucial victory in his final encounter. This win not only secured the German grandmaster's own qualification but, in doing so, mathematically confirmed the elimination of the reigning world champion, Gukesh.
The early departure of the world's top-ranked player underscores the inherent volatility and unpredictable nature of the Freestyle Chess format, which blends classical chess principles with rapid time controls and unique starting positions. Chess enthusiasts and analysts worldwide will be keenly observing the next stage of the Grand Slam, as the remaining contenders vie for the prestigious title in the absence of the reigning champion. The tournament has already delivered a compelling narrative, highlighting the intense competition and the potential for unexpected outcomes in this dynamic variant of the ancient game.
