Magnus Carlsen has continued his perfect form from last year. The current World No.1 began the 2026 Grenke Chess Festival in Karlsruhe, Germany, with a perfect score of 10 out of 10 for the day.
The Freestyle Open, played in the Chess960 format, is part of the larger festival that has drawn more than 3,500 participants this year, making it one of the biggest open tournaments in the world. Hosted at the Karlsruhe Convention Centre, the event once again brings together elite grandmasters and amateur players on the same stage.
Magnus Carlsen converts early control into a clinical win
WGM Narmin Khalafova of Armenia was the first opponent to face Magnus Carlsen during his first round of play. She put up a good fight, but made an error around move twenty that shifted the advantage away from her and firmly into Magnus’ hands. He didn’t waste any time converting that advantage into a victory.
While Magnus Carlsen received most of the attention in round one, there were several interesting stories to discuss. Levon Aronian, for example, drew a game with CM Aleksander Kumala of Poland, arguably the most surprising match of the day. Nikita Vitiugov of Russia also saw his match end in disappointment as he was the highest-rated player to lose; he did so after making a late mistake to FM Sreyas Payyappat of India.
The field in Karlsruhe is stacked. Alongside Carlsen, names like Ian Nepomniachtchi, Hans Niemann and Nihal Sarin are part of a strong top lineup competing across formats. The tournament also carries added stakes this year, with qualification spots on the line for the upcoming FIDE Freestyle World Championships.
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Unlike many recent freestyle events played at faster time controls, the Grenke Open sticks to a classical format, giving players 90 minutes per game with a 30-second increment from move one. That slower pace adds depth, especially in Chess960 positions where early preparation is less of a factor.
Round two began on Friday, with players facing a packed schedule that includes two rounds per day through the weekend. With Carlsen already in rhythm and chasing another dominant run, the early message from Karlsruhe is clear: he’s not here to slow down.
