The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025 is all set to begin in Paris from 7 April to 14 April at the Pavillon Chesnaie du Roy. The tournament features a total of 12 players, unlike the previous leg held in February, which only included 10 players. But you might be thinking, what’s the catch here? Well, what sets this leg apart is that Indian chess giants will highly dominate the current lineup.
Four out of 12 players are Indian, unlike the first leg, where only one Indian chess prodigy, Gukesh D., represented the nation. Gukesh failed to claim a single win in the Germany leg and finished in eighth position. This year, he will have the support of his fellow countrymen, Praggnanandhaa R., Vidit Gujrathi, and Arjun Erigaisi. So, on that note, let’s take a look at the achievements and their potential threat to other players in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025.
Gukesh Dommaraju
Gukesh D. is the reigning World Chess Champion who achieved this feat in 2024 and created history by becoming the youngest undisputed World Chess Champion at 18 years and 195 days. He also holds the record for the second- youngest grandmaster at 12 years and 7 months. Not just that, he surpassed the chess legend, Viswanathan Anand, to become India’s top-rated player and entered the world’s top 10 rankings. He currently holds the ranking of World Number 3, sitting behind Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura.
Although his performance in the Germany leg was underwhelming, the presence of other strong Indian players like Praggnanandhaa and Arjun could create a competitive yet inspiring environment for him to excel in. His winless run at the first leg raised questions about his potential, though the format was new to him at that time. With his experience and learnings in the previous leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025, he is expected to make a comeback as he adapts and excels in the freestyle format.
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa
Praggnanandhaa R. is one of the most promising young chess talents from India. He became India’s youngest grandmaster and the world’s second-youngest at just 12 years old in 2018. He also won the World Youth Chess Championship in both the Under-8 and Under-10 categories. His recent win at the 2025 Tata Steel Chess Masters marked a significant milestone in his career as he became the first Indian to win the title after Vishwanathan Anand in 2006.
His recent form and experience in defeating top players like Magnus Carlsen definitely give him the upper hand. He positions himself as a potential threat to other competitors as the freestyle format also incorporates Chess90, which might strengthen his playing style, given his adaptability. His inclusion alongside other top Indian players adds a touch of excitement and anticipation among fans as they represent their nation, India, at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025.
Arjun Erigaisi
Arjun Erigaisi is an Indian grandmaster who has had a commendable career in chess. He earned his grandmaster title at the age of 14 and also won the 2022 Tata Steel Challengers with a near perfect score of 10.5/13. He became the Indian chess champion in 2022 and also won the Junior Speed Chess Championship in the same year. He achieved an Elo rating of 2800, becoming the second Indian to do so and holds a career high-ranking of World Number 3. He currently holds the ranking of World Number 5, showcasing his dominance in the sport.
His presence in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025 will be crucial due to his ability to defeat top players like Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana, highlighting his potential to perform well in the tournament.
Vidit Gujrathi
While eleven participants of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025 were pre-confirmed, Vidit Gujrathi proved his skills and booked his spot in the prestigious tournament after qualifying from the Chess.com qualifiers that included a number of players from all around the world. He surpassed an Eli rating of 2700, peaking at 2747 in February 2024, making him one of the most elite chess players in the world. He won the FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament and qualified for the Candidates Tournament, where he finished sixth.
He has defeated top players like Hikaru Nakamura, who is also a part of the tournament this year. He poses a potential threat to his competitors due to his experience and recent success. Given his recent qualification through winning the Chess.com qualifiers, he is expected to be a key player in the tournament.
Also Read: Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour Paris Leg: Schedule, Prize Money, And Players
