Magnus Carlsen-Hans Niemann controversy takes a brand new flip as Freestyle Chess confirms latter’s inclusion

The long-standing Magnus Carlsen-Hans Niemann saga has taken a recent twist with the affirmation that Niemann will take part within the
Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour’s Paris leg, scheduled for 8-15 April. The announcement, made by Niemann himself on social media, has shocked many given his high-profile authorized battle with Carlsen prior to now.

I’m deeply grateful for the chance to compete within the Freestyle Paris version. Profitable the Grenke Open final yr was an unimaginable expertise, and I’m wanting to return to the Freestyle/Grenke Open. It doesn’t matter what alternatives come my manner, I’ll proceed to let my chess…

— Hans Niemann (@HansMokeNiemann) February 13, 2025

Jan Henric Buettner, the sponsor of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, revealed that he didn’t search Carlsen’s approval earlier than extending an invite to Niemann. Buettner has shut ties with Carlsen they usually have co-organised the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour.

Talking to TV 2, Buettner acknowledged, “Magnus doesn’t comprehend it but, however I’ll inform him after his recreation. I selected to not ask for his permission now. Magnus doesn’t have a say on who to ask. He selected the primary gamers final yr. Throughout the occasion, there are gamers he is kind of snug with. That’s why I made a decision to not ask him for permission.”

The potential for one other Carlsen-Niemann showdown provides to the joy. It’s believed that Buettner’s transfer to ask Niemann is aimed toward growing the event’s viewership. Their final encounter was within the 2024 Pace Chess Championship semifinal in Paris, the place Carlsen emerged victorious.

The Weissenhaus leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour was gained by German GM Vincent Keymer, who defeated Fabiano Caruana within the ultimate. In the meantime,
Magnus Carlsen, who was the favorite to win the title, fell to Keymer within the semi-finals and needed to accept third place.

Carlsen–Niemann controversy

The controversy erupted in the course of the Sinquefield Cup 2022 when Magnus Carlsen withdrew after dropping to Hans Niemann, hinting at dishonest. Carlsen later resigned after one transfer of their on-line rematch. Niemann admitted to previous on-line dishonest however denied any wrongdoing within the recreation in opposition to Carlsen. Chess.com banned Niemann, who then sued Carlsen, Chess.com, and Hikaru Nakamura. However the case was dismissed in June 2023 and by August, all events settled, Niemann was reinstated, and Carlsen agreed to play him ought to they be paired once more.