In a masterclass of precision chess, Magnus Carlsen claimed victory at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Paris, pocketing $200,000 and 25 Grand Prix points—all without needing a single tiebreak. His final hurdle? A tense but ultimately resigned draw against Hikaru Nakamura, who had spent the game quietly probing for weaknesses but found none.

The stage is set for an epic showdown as the world's top two players, Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura, battle for the $200,000 crown at the 2025 Paris Freestyle Chess Grand Slam. Both superstars powered through their semifinals dramatically, setting up a dream final that promises fireworks.

The 2025 FIDE Women's World Championship is tilting decisively in defending champion Ju Wenjun’s favor after she defeated challenger Tan Zhongyi in Game 6, taking a formidable 4-2 lead as the match shifts to Chongqing. Image from chessbasenepal

The chess world’s crossover into esports continues as GM Anish Giri becomes the latest grandmaster to sign with a major gaming organization—joining Team Secret ahead of the star-studded 2025 Esports World Cup. The $1.5 million Riyadh event, featuring chess for the first time, has sparked a signing frenzy, with Giri now the 15th top player to join an esports team.

GM Ju Wenjun seized a 3-2 lead over challenger GM Tan Zhongyi in a tense fifth game clash in Shanghai. Tan's ambitious opening strategy backfired spectacularly when she ventured into the rare Sicilian Kan variation, a choice that surprised commentators. Dutch GM Anish Giri remarked it was "unexpected for a World Championship match," setting the tone for a game full of surprises.

The 2025 Paris Freestyle Chess Grand Slam delivered high-stakes drama as Ian Nepomniachtchi staged a breathtaking comeback to catch Magnus Carlsen at the top, finishing the round-robin stage deadlocked with 4.5/5. The two chess giants, known for their explosive clashes, will now lead a star-studded lineup into the quarterfinals, where Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Arjun Erigaisi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Hikaru Nakamura, Vincent Keymer, and Fabiano Caruana await.