Play-in qualifiers on Chess.com! The final ticket to the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship will be contested on January 14-15. Learn more about the format, prizes and qualifications. Only for title-holding players.
A new storm is brewing in the chess world. On January 7, world chess governing body FIDE and Freestyle Chess officially announced the first FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship. The grand event will take place in Weissenhaus, Germany, from February 13 to 15. But before the final stage, there is one last chapter left – the search for the last player. And in that search, Chess.com is organizing a death-defying play-in qualifier.
Why is this play-in so important?
Because the winner of this qualifier will advance directly to the $300,000 mega event, where the brightest stars in the chess world await! This is the only chance for those who have not yet qualified to directly qualify for the World Championship.
When and how will the play-in competition take place?
- Date: January 14 and 15, 2025.
- Time: 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US) / 4:00 PM CET (Europe).
- Eligibility: All verified title holders (Grandmasters, International Masters, etc.) who have not already been selected for the championship.
- Process: The selection will be in two stages –
1. Swiss Round: A 9-round Swiss tournament with a 10+2 (10 minute + 2 second increment) time control. Each participant must play using a proctor to ensure fairness.
2. Knockout Round: The top 4 players from the Swiss will advance to a single-elimination knockout. 2 games per match at 15+3. If tied, 2 more games at 5+2. If still no result, the thrilling “Bidding Armageddon” will take place! Here, players will submit secret bids to indicate how many seconds less time they will play. The player who bids the least time will play with the black piece for 5 minutes less than the base time. The other player will get 5 minutes with the white piece. White will be responsible for winning, while black will be responsible for drawing.
Who’s waiting in the final?
The winner of the play-in will join the already qualified superstars. This list shows just how high the status of this tournament is:
| Rank | Player Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GM Magnus Carlsen | Norway |
| 2 | GM Levon Aronian | United States |
| 3 | GM Fabiano Caruana | United States |
| 4 | GM Vincent Keymer | Germany |
| 5 | GM Arjun Erigaisi | India |
| 6 | GM Javokhir Sindarov | Uzbekistan |
| 7 | GM Hans Niemann | United States |
Now, the lucky one who wins the play-in qualifier will be added to this star-studded list.
Prizes and that golden ticket
This play-in has a double-edged edge:
Instant prize pool ($5,000): First place will receive $1,000, runner-up $700, and third and fourth place will receive $550 each.
The main prize: a ticket to the World Championship itself! It’s not just a tournament; it’s a direct pass to prove yourself at the highest level, face off against the world’s best, and share in that massive $300,000 prize pool.
How to join?
If you are a verified titleholder (GM, IM, WGM, etc.) and have not already been listed above, your chance has arrived. Register through Chess.com and be there on time.
- Date: January 14-15, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM ET / 4:00 PM CET (Times may vary, see official announcement on Chess.com)
It’s your last chance to enter this exciting new chapter in chess history. Don’t miss out on this freestyle chess fair and the chance to test yourself against the best players in the world. This play-in could make your dream come true! Read more
Note: All information is as per official announcements from FIDE and Chess.com. Rules or schedules may change, so please check the final rules on the Chess.com website before participating.
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