Freestyle Chess Grand Slam: Magnus Carlsen sets up epic final clash with Hikaru Nakamura

The second leg of the semifinal round of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour featured decisive results, with Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen winning their respective matches to set up a promising final.

Both stalwarts showcased their guile in their wins. Playing black against Vincent Keymer, Nakamura chose a d4 opening, mirrored by his opponent. Exhibiting solid central play and piece coordination, Nakamura gradually seized control, countering Keymer’s aggressive play — such as a Bxf5 on Move 22. But it was ineffective, as Nakamura continued to win material and gained the initiative, demonstrating a fine superb endgame technique with the help of his rook and pawns.

In the other semifinal, Carlsen defeated Caruana in a dynamic clash, showcasing his strategic depth. Early queenside expansion and clever pawn advancement gave Carlsen the initiative. His kingside attack, especially pushing the pawn to h6 and coordinating his pieces, put strong pressure on his opponent. Caruana tried his best to defend but couldn’t neutralise Carlsen’s momentum, reinforced by aggressive rook lifts and well-timed trades. In the end, Caruana’s position became untenable, and he resigned. It was another Freestyle masterclass by Carlsen.

A Carlsen vs Nakamura final would add a new layer to their already intense rivalry, but in a format neither is universally dominant in. Moreover, such a high-profile matchup would significantly increase the visibility and credibility of Chess960. As a variant, it often gets overshadowed by traditional chess, but with the world’s top players competing, it could inspire more to experiment with the format. However, it remains to be seen whether FIDE’s cold stance on the tournament will change accordingly.

Final on April 13.