Updated List Of Players In Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour 2025

The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour has experienced a significant change in its lineup for the Paris leg scheduled from 7 April to 14 April. Two notable players, Alireza Firouzja and Hans Niemann, have withdrawn their names from the upcoming event. The Paris leg was supposed to feature 12 strong players, promising an exciting event with top-class players.

The Iranian-born French grandmaster, Alireza Firouzja, was initially set to participate in the Paris leg had withdrew earlier this week due to personal reasons. His early withdrawal allowed organizers sufficient time to find a replacement. He was eventually replaced by Richard Rapport, a Hungarian Grandmaster who will make his Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour debut in Paris. He was chosen for the position after being defeated by Vidit Gujrathi in the play-in finals of Chess.com.

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The US grandmaster, Hans Niemann, known for his recent controversies with Magnus Carlsen, has also withdrawn from the Paris event. His last-minute withdrawal has sparked speculations about the timing of his withdrawal, particularly following the announcement of enhanced anti-cheating measures at the event. His spot has been filled by Nodribek Abdusattorov, a highly skilled Uzbek Grandmaster.

Both Firouzja and Niemann were fan favorites at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, and their withdrawals have altered the highly anticipated matchups, specifically the clash between Magnus and Niemann. However, they’ve also given birth to new highly-awaited matchups like Vidit Gujrathi vs Richard Rapport. Despite these changes, the Paris leg remained a star-studded event and features eight of the top nine players in the world according to FIDE world rankings. The tournament will begin on 7 April at the Pavillon Chesnaie du Roy in France.

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