The electrifying climax of the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam has come, with Magnus Carlsen and Levon Aronian placing the whole lot on the road in Grootbos, South Africa.
With $200,000 awaiting the winner, the scene is ideal for what is perhaps some of the predicted chess showdowns of the 12 months.
Carlsen Into Last Eight After Thrilling Tiebreak Drama
Magnus Carlsen, already confirmed because the 2025 Grand Slam Tour champion, delivered one other signature clutch efficiency in his semifinal in opposition to Javokhir Sindarov. Precise and in management, Carlsen took sport one.
However, Sindarov refused to go away quietly. With his again in opposition to the wall, he answered with a must-win win as Black in sport two, a really spectacular feat at elite stage play, and despatched the match to a blitz tiebreak.
According to Freestyle Chess, Carlsen drew first blood as he gained the primary blitz sport. In the second blitz sport, he confirmed nice resilience as he arguably was misplaced in some unspecified time in the future however managed to attract the sport he wanted. His resourcefulness earned him a well-deserved seat within the Grand Final.
Aronian Survives Pressure by Keymer, Dominates in Blitz
In the opposite semifinal, Vincent Keymer took Levon Aronian to the very restrict. Keymer was in charge of a lot of the second classical sport and appeared a number of occasions about to win. But Aronian is a previous grasp of ingenious protection, and he uncovered an “extraordinary escape” that saved him within the match.
The duel then moved right into a blitz tiebreak — and that is when Aronian got here alive. With razor-sharp techniques, ice-cold composure, he swept the tiebreak 2–0 to make his second Grand Final look this season.
Aronian had earlier gained the Las Vegas leg of the Tour in July after beating Hans Niemann. This time, the stage is even greater and the opponent even more durable: world primary Magnus Carlsen. He termed the chance “a great privilege” and is prepared for the problem.
Placement Matches Set after Action-Packed Knockout Battles
With each semifinals wrapped, the remaining gamers now shift to their placement matches to find out the ultimate standings within the South Africa Finals.
Grand Final- $200,000 on the Line
- Magnus Carlsen vs. Levon Aronian
Match for third Place
- Vincent Keymer vs. Javokhir Sindarov
Match for fifth Place
- Fabiano Caruana vs. Arjun Erigaisi
In the decrease bracket, Caruana defeated Parham Maghsoodloo whereas Arjun took out Niemann, dominating the tiebreak.
Match for seventh Place
- Hans Niemann vs Parham Maghsoodlooq
Carlsen will likely be making ready for the upcoming World Rapid and Blitz 2025. The star-studded event will begin on Dec. 25 till Dec. 30.
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