Chess: Magnus Carlsen first to scale Mt. 2900 in Freestyle rating list

Chess: Magnus Carlsen first to scale Mt. 2900 in Freestyle rating list Khelja | 27/06/2025 17:21:03

New Delhi: Magnus Carlsen became the first-ever chess player to achieve a 2900 rating, reaching the landmark in the latest Freestyle rating list. The world number one has tried to scale Mt 2900 in classical rating for years, but has always fallen short 10-20 points of the round figure.

According to the Guardian, Carlsen, at 2909, is nearly 100 points ahead of Hikaru Nakamura in second place in the new Freestyle rating list. The five-time champion was aided by his perfect 9/9 performance at Grenke Karlsruhe in Germany. Meanwhile, India’s D Gukesh, the reigning FIDE world champion, ranks a lowly 26th with 2701 points.

Despite his best efforts over the years, Carlsen’s highest classical rating is 2882. His 2909 rating points in the newly introduced format sets a new benchmark for the top chess players.

Carlsen eyeing strong outing in Las Vegas

The Norwegian will be aiming to consolidate his position and rating points in Freestyle chess in the third leg (of five) of the Freestyle $3.75m Grand Slam at Wynn Las Vegas. The 16-member tournament will take place on 16-20 July, with the field including most of the usual top names.

Carlsen will reignite his rivalry with Hans Niemann, the 22-year-old American Chess Grandmaster whose game with the Norwegian at the 2022 Sinquefield Cup led to a $100m lawsuit. Niemann didn’t participate in the Paris leg of the Freestyle Grand Slam owing to personal reasons despite being invited.

The American, after declining an easy entrance, took a much harder route by winning a 16-player knockout to qualify for the Las Vegas leg. Niemann was in top form in the qualifying tournament and defeated four world-class opponents, including the former world classical champion Ding Liren.

The American GM also showed promise in chess.com’s Titled Tuesday, where he matched the performances of Carlsen and Nakamura. In the same event, 9-year-old Delhi prodigy Aarit Kapil produced a sensational result after holding Carlsen for a draw.