World chess champion D Gukesh skips Las Vegas tournament due to exhaustion
Freestyle Chess Grand Slam at Wynn Las Vegas loses star player as reigning champion cites need for rest after demanding schedule
The chess world will be missing one of its biggest stars when the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour arrives in Las Vegas this July. World Champion D Gukesh has withdrawn from the highly anticipated tournament at Wynn Las Vegas, citing exhaustion after a grueling competitive schedule.
Last-minute withdrawal surprises organizers
The official lineup for the Las Vegas leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour was released last Tuesday, and chess fans immediately noticed a conspicuous absence. Gukesh, the 19-year-old reigning World Champion who was widely expected to face off against Magnus Carlsen once again, was not among the 16 elite players set to compete in Sin City from July 16 to 20.
Jan Henric Buettner, co-founder and CEO of Freestyle Chess, revealed the reasoning behind the late change in an exclusive interview. “He said he’s exhausted and needs rest,” Buettner explained, referring to Gukesh’s decision to withdraw from the $750,000 tournament.
The withdrawal came as a surprise given Gukesh’s initial commitment to the event. “Anyway, he had an invitation for the Las Vegas leg. So after his not-so-good performance in Paris, he was still up for the task. He said, ‘We’re gonna come. I will come to Las Vegas,'” Buettner recalled.
Norway Chess proves to be the breaking point
The turning point came after the recent Norway Chess tournament, which appears to have pushed the young champion past his limits. Despite finishing third in that prestigious event—behind only Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana—the demanding competition took its toll on Gukesh.
“But then, there was Norway Chess. This exhausted him so much. Even I would be exhausted,” Buettner said. “He was so exhausted that I got a message. He said he’s exhausted and would like to rest. He can’t come to Las Vegas. Unfortunately, he needs rest. So, you know, that’s understandable.”
The Norway Chess tournament showcased Gukesh’s elite skills, as he secured victories over the top three FIDE-rated players: Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Arjun Erigaisi. However, the intense level of competition clearly came at a physical and mental cost.
Vidit Gujrathi steps in as replacement
Indian chess player Vidit Gujrathi will take Gukesh’s place in the Las Vegas tournament, stepping into what has become known as the “red jacket” position in Freestyle Chess’s colorful tradition.
“So we invited Vidit again as a replacement. So Vidit will wear the red jacket of Gukesh this time in Vegas,” Buettner confirmed.
The Freestyle Chess circuit has developed a distinctive visual identity where players wear specially colored jackets during competition. In the previous Paris tournament, R Praggnanandhaa wore green, Arjun Erigaisi blue, Vidit maroon, and Gukesh red. This tradition adds a unique spectacle element to the chess competitions.
Gukesh’s struggle for consistency
The withdrawal comes during a challenging period for Gukesh on the Freestyle Chess circuit, where he has been working to find his rhythm. His recent performances include an eighth-place finish at Weissenhaus and 11th place in Paris, leaving him 11th overall with just four Freestyle Chess Championship points.
Following the Grenke Open, his standing dropped further to 16th in the overall rankings. However, his strong third-place finish at Norway Chess demonstrated that his chess abilities remain at the highest level, even if the demanding schedule has taken its toll.
“His performances have not been that good at any Grand Slam. We were always expecting that he would decline to participate in the next event,” Buettner noted, suggesting the organizers had anticipated potential withdrawal.
Las Vegas makes Freestyle Chess debut in America
The Las Vegas tournament represents a significant milestone for Freestyle Chess, marking the organization’s first event on American soil. The tournament will be hosted at the prestigious Wynn Las Vegas from July 16 to 20, welcoming a live audience to witness the action firsthand.
With a substantial prize pool of $750,000, the winner will take home $200,000. The event promises to bring world-class chess competition to the entertainment capital, combining the intellectual intensity of elite chess with the spectacle that Las Vegas is known for.
The choice of Wynn Las Vegas as the venue reflects the tournament’s ambition to present chess as premium entertainment, fitting perfectly with the luxury resort’s reputation for hosting exclusive events.
Major changes ahead for Freestyle Chess
Beyond Gukesh’s withdrawal, Freestyle Chess is undergoing significant organizational changes. The Indian leg of the Grand Slam, originally scheduled for September 17-24 in New Delhi, has been cancelled due to a lack of sponsors—a setback that eliminates what would have been a major chess event in Gukesh’s home country.
Additionally, Jan Henric Buettner will step down as CEO on July 1, with COO Thomas Harsch taking over daily operations. Buettner will continue in a strategic role as Executive Chairman, indicating a shift in the organization’s leadership structure as it continues to expand globally.
The bigger picture
Gukesh’s withdrawal highlights the intense demands placed on top chess players in today’s competitive landscape. The 19-year-old world champion’s decision to prioritize rest over a lucrative tournament appearance underscores the physical and mental toll that elite competition can exact, even in a sport often perceived as purely intellectual.
For Las Vegas chess fans, the absence of the reigning world champion is disappointing, but the tournament still promises to deliver high-level competition with many of the world’s top players. The presence of Magnus Carlsen and other elite grandmasters ensures that the Las Vegas debut of Freestyle Chess will remain a significant event in the chess calendar.
The tournament’s success in Las Vegas could determine whether American venues become regular stops on the Freestyle Chess tour, potentially bringing more world-class chess events to U.S. audiences in the future.
Image Source: https://www.firstpost.com/sports/chess/freestyle-chess-las-vegas-grand-slam-d-gukesh-bibisara-assaubayeva-13900072.html
Category: Sports
Subcategory: Tournaments
Date: 06/27/2025
