The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Las Vegas wrapped up with some impressive performances, new milestones, and a record prize pool. This tournament, known for its unique chess format, featured a knockout structure where every place was contested, keeping the competition fierce until the last round. Let’s see how the top players finished and how much each went home with.
Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Las Vegas: Final Standings
| Place | Player |
|---|---|
| 1st | Levon Aronian |
| 2nd | Hans Niemann |
| 3rd | Magnus Carlsen |
| 4th | Hikaru Nakamura |
| 5th | Arjun Erigaisi |
| 6th | Fabiano Caruana |
| 7th | R Praggnanandhaa |
| 8th | Wesley So |
Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Las Vegas: Who Earned How Much
| Player | Prize Money (USD) |
|---|---|
| Levon Aronian | $200,000 |
| Hans Niemann | $140,000 |
| Magnus Carlsen | $160,000 |
| Hikaru Nakamura | $120,000 |
| Arjun Erigaisi | $100,000 |
| Fabiano Caruana | $80,000 |
| R Praggnanandhaa | $60,000 |
| Wesley So | $40,000 |
How Each Player Earned Their Prize
- Levon Aronian took home the top prize of $200,000. He had a strong run, beating top names and finally defeating Hans Niemann in the final of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Las Vegas. Aronian called it “one of the biggest victories” of his career, especially when considering the prize fund.
2. Hans Niemann finished second, winning $140,000. He narrowly missed the title but put up a solid performance throughout the tournament.
Magnus Carlsen claimed $160,000 for third place. After missing the final, Carlsen bounced back by beating Hikaru Nakamura in the playoff, keeping his spot at the top of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Las Vegas standings.
Hikaru Nakamura ended fourth and received $120,000. He played consistently but couldn’t overcome Carlsen in the third-place match.
Arjun Erigaisi secured fifth place and $100,000. He defeated Fabiano Caruana 2-0 in their playoff match, marking a high point for the Indian GM.
Fabiano Caruana finished sixth, earning $80,000. He lost the fifth-place playoff to Erigaisi.
R Praggnanandhaa came in seventh, winning $60,000 after a playoff victory against Wesley So.
Wesley So ended in eighth place, taking home $40,000.
Every match had a direct impact on prize distribution, which motivated players to fight for every spot. The Las Vegas leg showed why freestyle chess is gaining popularity, with top stars delivering until the very end. The competition provided not just entertainment for fans, but also major rewards for the grandmasters on the board.
Also Read: Levon Aronian Wins First Freestyle Grand Slam Title in Las Vegas
