FIDE Freestyle World Championship 2026: Carlsen, Keymer, Caruana and Abdusattorov Reach Semifinals
The FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship 2026 is heating up in Weissenhaus, Germany. After a thrilling seven-round rapid round-robin, four players have qualified for the semifinals:
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Magnus Carlsen
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Vincent Keymer
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Fabiano Caruana
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Nodirbek Abdusattorov
These four stars are now fighting for the 2026 Freestyle world title.
Round-Robin Drama Until the Final Round
The qualification race stayed open until the very last round. Final standings after 7 rounds:
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Carlsen – 4.5/7
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Keymer – 4/7
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Caruana – 4/7
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Abdusattorov – 4/7
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Hans Niemann – 3.5/7
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Arjun Erigaisi – 3/7
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Javokhir Sindarov – 2/7
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Levon Aronian – 2/7
Several players still had chances before the final round. There was even a possible four-way tie scenario. Only after the final games ended did the semifinal lineup become clear.
What Is Freestyle Chess?
Freestyle Chess is the new name for Chess960. This format uses a new starting position in every round. Players must rely on pure creativity and understanding.
The last world championship in this format was in 2022, won by Hikaru Nakamura. He did not defend his title this year, choosing to focus on other events.
Now, a new champion will be crowned. This year’s event is officially recognized by FIDE.
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Total prize fund: $300,000
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Winner’s prize: $100,000
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Top 3 qualify for the 2027 World Championship cycle
Magnus Carlsen – The Favorite Again?
After winning the 2025 Freestyle Grand Slam Tour, Carlsen entered as the clear favorite.
He started strongly:
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2 draws
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3 wins in the first five rounds
That gave him a one-point lead over the field.
One spectacular moment came against Javokhir Sindarov. In a balanced rook endgame, Carlsen found a stunning checkmate idea that instantly ended the game.
He looked sharp from the very start — no slow beginning this time. Interestingly, a Freestyle world title is one of the few major trophies missing from Carlsen’s collection.
Arjun Erigaisi – The Giant Killer
Arjun Erigaisi had the wildest tournament. He did not draw a single game.
Most importantly, he defeated Carlsen in round six — and not just defeated him, but crushed him. It was one of the most dominant performances of the event.
However, Arjun could not maintain the momentum and finished outside the top four.
Vincent Keymer Shines at Home
Germany’s Vincent Keymer impressed once again in Weissenhaus. He secured qualification with one round to spare after defeating Caruana in a powerful strategic game.
Keymer showed control, confidence, and strong preparation. Playing at home clearly gave him extra motivation.
Fabiano Caruana Holds His Nerve
Caruana started with two wins and two draws. In the final round, he faced Arjun Erigaisi in a must-win situation. Both players needed victory to qualify.
Caruana used his experience perfectly. He capitalized on early mistakes and won convincingly to secure his semifinal spot.
Abdusattorov Stays Calm Under Pressure
Abdusattorov qualified through a tough online play-in tournament. He stayed consistent throughout the event.
In the final round, a draw against Carlsen was enough for both players. Abdusattorov finished on 4/7 and secured his semifinal place. He remains a serious contender for the $100,000 first prize.
Niemann Misses Out Narrowly
Hans Niemann came very close. He needed a win in the final round but managed only a draw against Levon Aronian. He missed qualification by just half a point.
Knockout Stage Begins
The championship now moves to the knockout phase:
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Semifinals – Saturday
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Final – Sunday
The winner will become the new FIDE Freestyle Chess World Champion 2026. Alongside the main event:
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A 5th–8th place battle will be played.
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An exhibition match between Alexandra Kosteniuk and Bibisara Assaubayeva will determine qualification for the Women’s Freestyle Chess World Championship.
This Freestyle Chess World Championship has delivered drama, creativity, and world-class rapid chess. With Carlsen, Keymer, Caruana, and Abdusattorov in the semifinals, fans can expect an explosive finish.
Stay tuned for the final battle in Weissenhaus.
Photos: Lennart Ootes, FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
