Freestyle World Championship 2026: Arjun outplays Carlsen, still the latter tops the Round-Robin stage

World no.5 Arjun Erigaisi started the day with a win over Vincent Keymer (GER). However, he suffered two losses in the next two rounds against Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) and Hans Niemann (USA). Arjun defeated FIDE World Cup 2025 winner Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) and the World no.1, Magnus Carlsen (NOR) in Round 4 and 6 respectively. Arjun finished the FIDE Freestyle World Championship Round-Robin stage scoring 3/7. Carlsen topped it scoring 4.5/7. He will face Abdusattorov in the Semifinals. Keymer will be up against Fabiano Caruana (USA) in the other Semifinals.

Carlsen loses his sole game against Arjun

Arjun Erigaisi had a tough day at the Round-Robin stage of Freestyle World Championship 2026. However, all three of his wins were against top players – World no.4, Vincent Keymer, FIDE World Cup 2025 champion, Javokhir Sindarov and the World no.1, Magnus Carlsen. Two of them are Semifinalists and who knows the next Freestyle World Champion which will be crowned tomorrow.

Magnus Carlsen topped the Round-Robin stage 4.5/7 | Photo: Lennart Ootes

Arjun Erigaisi, Magnus Carlsen, Vincent Keymer and Fabiano Caruana pondering over a position | Photo: Lennart Ootes

Arjun – Sindarov, Round 4

Position after 17…Qc8?

17…Nxg2! first 18.Kxg2 Qc8 would have kept the game going. Playing 17…Qc8? immediately allowed White to gain the upper hand 18.Nxe5!+- Nxe5 19.Bxe5 Qg4 20.Ng3 Nxg2 21.Rd4 Qf3 22.Qd1 Qa3 23.Nf5 Bf8 24.Nh6+ Kh8 25.Nxf7+ Kg8 26.Nh6+ Kh8 27.Rg4 Qe7 28.Qd8 Qxd8 29.Nf7+ and it’s over.

After a loss against Levon Aronian (USA) in the fifth round, Arjun bounced back well in the sixth against the World no.1, Magnus Carlsen (NOR). Arjun got himself a decisive advantage in less than ten moves.

Arjun – Carlsen, Round 6

Position after 8…cxd5?

9.fxe5+- Bxe5 10.Bxa7 Ra8 11.Be3 Black’s position is in shambles. Arjun went on to outplay his opponent.

Format and Schedule

• Friday, February 13: The tournament opens with a rapid round-robin stage, following the format used in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam events. All eight players face each other once with a time control of 10 minutes plus 5-second increment. The top four players advance to the semifinals, while the remaining players move into placement matches.
• Saturday, February 14: The knockout stage begins with the semifinals and placement matches, played with a time control of 25 minutes plus 10-second increment. The semifinals will be played as four-game matches.
• Sunday, February 15: The final, played over four games, and the placement matches use the same 25 minutes plus 10-second increment. In the final, the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Champion is determined.

All final places from first to eighth will be decided over the board. The total prize fund is $300000, with $100000 awarded to the FIDE Freestyle Chess World Champion.

Replay Round-Robin stage games

Round-Robin stage results

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Final standings after Round-Robin stage

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Semfinals pairings

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Lower bracket Semifinals pairings

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