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D Gukesh missing as Freestyle Chess announces full line-up for Las Vegas Grand Slam; Bibisara set to make history

D Gukesh missing as Freestyle Chess announces full line-up for Las Vegas Grand Slam; Bibisara set to make history

First Post24-06-2025
While chess world champion D Gukesh's name is missing from Las Vegas Freestyle Chess Grand slam, Bibisara Assaubayeva is et to become the first woman to compete in a Freestyle Chess Grand Slam. read more
After taking part in Weissenhaus and Paris Grand Slams, D Gukesh will miss Freestyle Chess Las Vegas event. Image: FIDE on X
Chess world champion D Gukesh's name was missing as the Freestyle Chess organisers on Tuesday announced the full line-up for the Las Vegas Grand Slam 2025. The Freestyle Chess Las Vegas Grand Slam will take place from 16-20 July.
The Las Vegas Grand Slam, which will take place at Wynn Resorts, is also going to be historic as Kazakhstani professional chess player Bibisara Assaubayeva will become the first woman to compete in a Freestyle Chess Grand Slam.
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Hans Niemann, who pulled out of the Paris Grand Slam at the last minute, will also be a part of the event in Las Vegas after qualifying for the tournament through a qualifier on Chess.com.
Naturally, fans will be looking forward to his clash with world No.1 Magnus Carlsen, who recently hit the 2900 Elo rating in Freestyle chess .
Besides Carlsen, Niemann and Assaubayeva, the remaining players in the line-up are: Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, Arjun Erigaisi, Levon Aronian, Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Leinier Dominguez, Parham Maghsoodloo, Vincent Keymer, Ian Nepomniachtchi, R Praggnanandhaa, Javokhir Sindarov and Vidit Gujrathi.
No clarity on why Gukesh is missing
There's no clarity on why 19-year-old world champion Gukesh is not a part of the Las Vegas Grand Slam. The organisers have not announced anything officially, but Gukesh may have decided to take a break after the Norway Chess 2025, where he finished third and defeated Carlsen for the first time in Classical chess.
The full lineup is out! Who are you most excited to see compete in Vegas? pic.twitter.com/JmWgtFarnh — Freestyle Chess (@chess_freestyle) June 23, 2025
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Gukesh has also not had a great run in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam events so far, finishing eighth at the inaugural event in Weissenhaus and 11th in Paris. He is 16th in the overall standings.
In Gukesh's absence, Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa and Gujrathi will be representing India.
Carlsen currently leads the standings after two legs, with 65 points. He also won the Paris leg of the event, while American Grandmaster Caruana is in the second spot (39 points).
Germany's Keymer, who won the inaugural Weissenhaus leg, is in the third spot (37 points).
The leader at the end of the five legs will be crowned the Freestyle Chess Champion.
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India vs India in FIDE World Cup final: Koneru Humpy beats China's Lei Tingjie to set up Divya Deshmukh battle
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India vs India in FIDE World Cup final: Koneru Humpy beats China's Lei Tingjie to set up Divya Deshmukh battle

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FIDE Women's World Cup 2025: When is Koneru Humpy vs Divya Deshmukh in the final? What is the prize money?
FIDE Women's World Cup 2025: When is Koneru Humpy vs Divya Deshmukh in the final? What is the prize money?

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FIDE Women's World Cup 2025: When is Koneru Humpy vs Divya Deshmukh in the final? What is the prize money?

Konreu Humpy and Divya Deshmukh India is guaranteed a historic win at the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 as Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh have reached the final after winning their semifinal matches. Divya Deshmukh defeated China's Tan Zhongyi to book her place in the final. Koneru Humpy advanced by beating Chinese GM Lei Tingjie in the tiebreaks on Thursday. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The final will begin on Saturday, July 26 with Game 1, followed by Game 2 on Sunday, July 27. If needed, tiebreaks will be played on Monday, July 28. The winner of the event will receive $50,000, (₹41.6 lakhs) while the runner-up will take home $35,000 (₹29.1 lakhs). Match Format: Each player will have 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game. A 30-second increment per move will be added from move one. If the match is tied after two classical games, tiebreaks will follow: Two rapid games of 10 minutes + 10-second increment. If still tied, two 5-minute + 3-second increment games. If required, two blitz games of 3 minutes + 2-second increment. If needed, 3+2 blitz games will continue until there is a winner. Spectators can expect high drama, with the format ensuring a definite champion emerges, no matter how evenly matched the players are. This marks the first time two Indian women have reached the final of the Women's World Cup, ensuring a major milestone for Indian chess. The strong performance by both players, especially against tough Chinese opponents, highlights India's rising presence in international chess. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

Humpy sets up historic all-Indian FIDE Women's World Cup final against Divya after beating top-seed Lei
Humpy sets up historic all-Indian FIDE Women's World Cup final against Divya after beating top-seed Lei

First Post

timean hour ago

  • First Post

Humpy sets up historic all-Indian FIDE Women's World Cup final against Divya after beating top-seed Lei

Koneru Humpy defeated world No 3 Lei Tingjie 5-3, prevailing over the Chinese top-seed with a hat-trick of wins in the tie-breaks after the two players drew both of their Classical matches on Wednesday. read more Koneru Humpy in action during the semi-finals of the 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup in Batumi, Georgia. Image credit: FIDE The FIDE Women's World Cup in Batumi, Georgia, is set to witness a historic all-Indian final with Grandmaster Koneru Humpy defeating Chinese top-seed Lei Tingjie in the tie-breaks to win her semi-final showdown with a 5-3 scoreline. Reigning women's world rapid champion Humpy is set to face International Master Divya Deshmukh, who had won the other Sino-Indian semi-final showdown with a victory over veteran GM Tan Zhongyi 1.5-0.5 on Wednesday. World No 3 Lei had earlier dragged the semi-final into the tie-breaks after holding Humpy to a draw in the second Classical game on Wednesday. And she found herself leading 3-2 at one stage of the tie-breaks, before the 38-year-old Indian GM roared back with a hat-trick of victories – two of them with white pieces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 🇮🇳 Humpy Koneru will face 🇮🇳 Divya Deshmukh in the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 Final! 🔥#FIDEWorldCup — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 24, 2025 Only one Indian (GM Harika Dronavalli in 2021) had reached the previous two editions of the prestigious tournament. This edition has witnessed four Indians in the quarter-finals, with two of them going the distance. More to follow

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