Daijiworld Media Network - Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Jul 21: Armenian-American Grandmaster Levon Aronian clinched his maiden Freestyle Chess Grand Slam title at the Wynn Las Vegas, defeating Hans Niemann 1.5-0.5 in a commanding final to take home the $200,000 top prize.
The 42-year-old, who had already knocked out heavyweights Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura earlier in the week, sealed his title with a clinical second-game victory after drawing the opener.
“It’s one of the biggest victories in my life, definitely the biggest when you count the prize fund. I am extremely happy and grateful for the opportunity,” Aronian said following his win.
Niemann, who came agonizingly close to his biggest career title, had to settle for second place and $140,000.
In the third-place match, World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen bounced back from his semifinal loss by defeating longtime rival Hikaru Nakamura 1.5-0.5. After a quiet draw in the first game, Carlsen took control in the second to claim $160,000 and retain his lead in the overall Grand Slam Tour standings.
Among other notable results, India’s Arjun Erigaisi delivered a convincing 2-0 win over Fabiano Caruana to secure fifth place, while fellow Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa overcame Wesley So 1.5-0.5 to finish seventh.
Praggnanandhaa’s victory came in the second game after So blundered in a long tactical sequence, losing an exchange when his rook was trapped. The 19-year-old Indian made no mistake in converting the advantage.
Despite the win, Praggnanandhaa expressed disappointment with his overall placement:
“Seventh doesn’t sound well, but I feel I played much better than where I finished. At crucial moments, I didn’t show my best. I think I should learn to make some draws because I wasn’t making them when I needed to.”
The Las Vegas leg marked another bold chapter in the rapidly growing Freestyle Chess format — a modern spin on Fischer Random that continues to challenge the best minds in new and creative ways. With Aronian’s emotional triumph and Carlsen’s consistent dominance, the Grand Slam race promises more drama in the tournaments ahead.