D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi’s participation confirmed for Paris Freestyle Chess Grand Slam event

Freestyle Chess confirmed D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi's participation in Paris.

Updated on: Feb 16, 2025, 18:09:52 IST

By Neelav Chakravarti

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The upcoming Paris Freestyle Chess Grand Slam event will see a strong three-member Indian contingent headlining the field along with the likes of Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana. D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa, India’s top-three GMs, will be travelling to Paris in April to participate in the second Freestyle Chess Grand Slam of the year.

D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi will participate at the Paris Freestyle Chess Grand Slam.

Arjun’s participation has already been confirmed by an official social media post from Freestyle Chess.

Also Read: ‘Magnus Carlsen does not like it, but he accepts’: Freestyle Chess confirm Hans Niemann’s inclusion, other GMs in favour

Participation confirmed

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Freestyle Chess confirmed Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa's participation in Paris. Gukesh was in action in the first leg at Weissenhaus, where he had a winless run and finished in eighth position. The Weissenhaus Grand Slam event was won by German GM Vincent Keymer, who beat Caruana in the final. Meanwhile, World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen lost to Keymer in the semi-finals and ended in third position.

The Paris event will also see American GM Hans Niemann participate, having qualified after winning the 2024 Grenke Chess Open. Niemann’s introduction has created controversy, as he was involved in an infamous scandal with Carlsen in 2022, where the Norwegian accused him of cheating. In response, Niemann filed a lawsuit against the likes of Carlsen, Chess.com and Hikaru Nakamura. Later all parties reached an agreement and the lawsuit was dropped.

The inclusion of Praggnanandhaa, Arjun and Gukesh in the same Grand Slam event is expected to receive plenty of attention from Indian fans. In the FIDE ratings published recently, Gukesh is fifth with a 2777 rating, behind Arjun Erigaisi (2801).

But in the live Elo ratings, Gukesh has already toppled Erigaisi and is World No. 3 (2787.2). Meanwhile, Erigaisi has fallen to fifth spot with a rating of 2776.7. Also, Praggnanandhaa is India No. 3 in live ratings, but in the published FIDE standings, he is India No. 4.

Praggnanandhaa is in good form, having beaten Gukesh in the tie-breaker decider in Wijk aan Zee this year, to win the Tata Masters. His inclusion in Paris will create plenty of excitement for fans.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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