Vincent Keymer victorious at grenke Freestyle Open 2026, Leon and Aryan share third place with Carlsen, Nepomniachtchi, Duda, Abdusattorov and co.

By admin April 11, 2026 0 comments

Vincent Keymer (GER) and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) scored an unbeaten 7.5/9 each at grenke Freestyle Open A 2026. Keymer won the tournament on tie-breaks, Vachier-Lagrave was placed second. Magnus Carlsen (NOR), Ian Nepomniachtchi, Alexey Sarana (SRB), Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL), Leon Luke Mendonca, Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) and Aryan Chopra scored 7/9 each. The total prize fund was €215000, €205250 in Open A. The top three prizes were €60000 + trophy, ₹40000 and €30000 each.

Harika Dronavalli qualifies to FIDE Freestyle Women’s World Championship 2027

GM Leon Luke Mendonca and GM Aryan Chopra are the only two Indians to make a top ten finish. They scored 7/9 each to share third place with Carlsen, Nepomniachtchi, Sarana, Duda and Abdusattorov. It goes without saying that they had a fantastic event. The Indian legend, GM Harika Dronavalli scored 6/9 to claim the Best Woman first prize. Not only that, but she also qualified for the FIDE Freestyle Women’s World Championship 2027.

Champion – GM Vincent Keymer (GER) 7.5/9 | Photo: Prajwal Bhat

Interview with Vincent Keymer | Video: grenke Chess

Analysis with Vincent Keymer, Peter Leko and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave | Video: grenke Chess

Keymer – Sarana, Round 8

Position after 34…Qb2

Vincent Keymer (GER) continued his brutal attack on the kingside 35.Bxg5 fxg5 36.Qh6+ Kg8 37.Rh5 Qa3+ 38.Kh2 Qd6+ 39.Kh3 Nf7 now White needed to finish things off with 40.Rxg5+ Nxg5+ 41.Qxg5+ Kf8 42.Qh5 and it’s over. White blundered 40.exf7+?? Kxf7 41.Qxg5 Qxd4 42.Rh6 Qc3+ 43.Kh2 Qe5+ 44.Kh3 Qc3+ 45.Kh2 Qe5+ and the game ended in a draw via perpetual check.

The most successful chess coach, GM Peter Heine Nielsen (DEN) dubbed this game as a masterpiece by Keymer only marred by a draw at the end.

Keymer-Sarana was a masterpiece by Keymer.
Spoiled in the end by allowing a draw, but a very impressive game.
Shows how deep and fascinating Freestyle chess can be when played with the classical time control.@KeymerVincent @GRENKEChess
— Peter Heine Nielsen (@PHChess) April 6, 2026

3rd GM Leon Luke Mendonca 7/9 | Photo: Prajwal Bhat

Aryan Chopra drew with Magnus Carlsen (NOR) in the final round to finish | Photo: grenke Chess

3rd GM Aryan Chopra 7/9 | Photo: Prajwal Bhat

Top 3 Women (L to R): IM Dinara Wagner (GER) 6/9, 2nd IM Alua Nurman (KAZ) 6/9 and 1st GM Harika Dronavalli 6/9 | Photo: Prajwal Bhat

Interview with GM Harika Dronavalli | Video: grenke Chess

The total number of participants across two different formats – Classical and Chess960 in a total of six different groups were 3658.

The official number of participants at the largest open chess tournament in the world ♟️
Thank you to each and every one of you — we hope you had a wonderful tournament! 🙌#thankyou pic.twitter.com/HjmZTQMveq
— grenkeChess 2026 (@GRENKEChess) April 7, 2026