Grenke Freestyle Chess Open
and Grenke Chess Open 2025
with Magnus Carlsen und Vincent Keymer
The traditional chess festival in Karlsruhe is continuing in a new format. Instead of the Classic Tournament alongside the Open, there will be two major Opens this year from April 17 to 21: the grenke Freestyle Chess Open and the grenke Chess Open. The two tournaments combine Freestyle Chess and classic tournament chess under the roof of the Karlsruhe Convention Center – a unique concept.
Numerous top grandmasters are expected. The 18-time world champion Magnus Carlsen, number one in the chess world and a regular guest at the grenke Chess Festival, has already confirmed his participation in the Freestyle Open. The German number one Vincent Keymer will also be taking part.
The winner of the Freestyle Open (A) will receive a starting place for the next leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour in New York (July 17-24, 2025). The top ten finishers will win points for the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025.
Two major open events, six rating classes
The Karlsruhe Chess Festival 2025 will combine two high-level tournaments, each with three rating classes:
grenke Freestyle Chess Open with a prize fund of 225,000 euros:
Freestyle Open A:for players with an Elo or DWZ > 1950
→ The winner qualifies for the New York leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam
Freestyle Open B: for players with an Elo and DWZ < 2000
Freestyle Open C: for players with a DWZ < 1400 and Elo < 1600
grenke Open with a prize fund of 70,000 euros:
grenke Open A: for players with an Elo or DWZ > 1950
grenke Open B: for players with an Elo and DWZ < 2000
grenke Open C: for players with an DWZ < 1400 and Elo < 1600
Switch between tournaments
A special feature ensures maximum flexibility: Those who participate in the grenke Chess Open can switch to the grenke Freestyle Chess Open up until the 5th round and keep the points they have earned so far. This means that the festival offers a unique opportunity to opt for the freestyle format during the course of the tournament.
Tournament mode:
Freestyle Open: 9 rounds Swiss system, 90 minutes + 30 seconds per move
grenke Open: same format as the Freestyle Open
Registration is now open at www.grenkechessopen.de. All further information on the schedule, tournament format and prize money is available there.
Contact:
Schachzentrum Baden-Baden e.V.
E-Mail: td@grenkechessopen.de
Webseite: www.grenkechessopen.de
