Magnus Carlsen notched up yet another world crown last weekend when the Norwegian, 35, continued his decade-long campaign aiming to edge ahead of Garry Kasparov and Bobby Fischer on the game’s absolute pantheon.
This time it was Freestyle chess, where the back row pieces start in randomised positions to eliminate pre-game prep. Carlsen, who currently also holds the Rapid and Blitz crowns, abdicated his Classical title in 2023 citing lack of motivation. His total titles, now 21, include five at classical chess, six at one-hour rapid, and nine at three-minute blitz.
The event at Weissenhaus, a luxury resort on the German Baltic coast, was the first recognised by Fide as an official Freestyle world championship. Eight invited…