Las Vegas, Nevada — Under the glittering lights of Sin City, 42-year-old GM Levon Aronian delivered one of the most stirring performances of his career, winning the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in dramatic fashion on July 20, 2025. Aronian defeated 22-year-old American prodigy Hans Niemann 1.5-0.5 in the final, securing the title, the $200,000 top prize, and a place in Freestyle Chess history.
The Armenian-American grandmaster’s win was a stunning reversal of fortune. Just five months ago, Aronian finished dead last in the Weissenhaus leg of the same tour. Now, with his wife Anita Ayvazyan and 3-year-old daughter Zabelle by his side, Aronian stood on the podium with gold in hand, having outplayed a field that included world champions and rising stars alike.
Redemption and Precision: Aronian’s Path to the Title
Aronian’s route to the final was no easy stroll. He battled through a star-studded bracket, eliminating Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Arjun Erigaisi, and ultimately, Niemann. Each match tested his creativity, stamina, and ability to adapt to the unique challenges of Freestyle Chess (also known as Chess960)where the opening setup is randomized, removing the safety net of memorized preparation.
In the final’s first game, Niemann playing White, gained an edge in a tricky opposite-colored bishop endgame but missed a clear win. Aronian immediately pointed out the decisive move post-game, an act both sporting and quietly devastating. That draw gave Aronian the confidence to take charge in the second game.
With the White pieces, he built central control early and pounced when Niemann misjudged a tactical sequence. Aronian’s elegant 17.Nb4! initiated a flow of precise moves that earned him an exchange and ultimately the full point. No tiebreaks needed. Just 37 moves to glory.
“It’s one of the biggest victories in my life,” Aronian said. “Definitely the biggest when you count the prize fund. I’m extremely happy and grateful.”
Freestyle Chess: Born for the Format
Co-founded by Magnus Carlsen and Jan Henric Buettner, the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam brings a high-stakes, dynamic twist to the chess world. The 2025 tour features five global stops: Weissenhaus, Paris, Las Vegas, Karlsruhe, and Cape Town, and has attracted the sport’s elite.
Aronian, a long-time advocate of the Chess960 format, showed that age is no barrier in freestyle play. “It’s much harder to play because you have to understand the position from the very early stage,” he noted. “But I enjoy that. It challenges you in a different way.”
Despite a grueling five-day schedule in Las Vegas with long hours and intense games, Aronian looked energized, thanks, in part, to the presence of his family. “They make me very happy. I find the strength to fight because they’re good people.”
Niemann Shines, Falls Just Short
For Hans Niemann, the final was a heartbreak but also a validation. The controversial yet undeniably talented grandmaster proved he belonged at the top tier of the sport. His path to the final was filled with impressive wins, and at several moments, he looked ready to snatch the crown from Aronian.
Niemann pocketed $140,000 for his second-place finish and, more importantly, locked in a spot for the upcoming Grand Slam leg in South Africa.
Carlsen Claims Third After Nakamura Clash
In what fans dubbed El Chessico, Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura clashed in the third-place match. Their rivalry delivered another sharp battle. Game one ended in a draw after Nakamura missed a hidden win, but Carlsen responded clinically in game two.
With commanding play on the queenside, the former world champion broke through Hikaru Nakamura’s defenses and took third place with a 1.5-0.5 win, earning $100,000. Despite missing the final, Carlsen remains atop the Freestyle Grand Slam standings after winning earlier legs in Paris and Weissenhaus.
“I’m not going to win every tournament, of course,” Carlsen reflected. “But I’m happy with the way I fought back. Winning five matches in a row after a rough start builds confidence.”
Placement Matches and Rising Stars
In the fifth-place match, Fabiano Caruana overwhelmed Arjun Erigaisi with back-to-back wins. The American’s second game featured a sparkling finish that drew praise from analysts and fans alike.
Meanwhile, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa edged past Wesley So to finish seventh, highlighting once again that the young Indian continues to be a formidable force on the world stage. “Seventh doesn’t sound great,” Praggnanandhaa said, “but I feel I played much better than my final standing.”
Other notable names like Vincent Keymer, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Javokhir Sindarov, and Leinier Dominguez rounded out the field, all of them falling short of the final stages but providing glimpses of brilliance throughout the week.
Prize Fund & Final Standings – Las Vegas Leg
| Rank | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Levon Aronian | $200,000 |
| 2nd | Hans Niemann | $140,000 |
| 3rd | Magnus Carlsen | $100,000 |
| 4th | Hikaru Nakamura | $60,000 |
| 5th | Fabiano Caruana | $50,000 |
| 6th | Arjun Erigaisi | $40,000 |
| 7th | Praggnanandhaa R | $30,000 |
| 8th | Wesley So | $20,000 |
A New Chapter for Aronian
Aronian’s victory is a powerful reminder of his enduring class. Once the world No.2, double World Cup winner, and team Olympiad gold medalist for Armenia, he now adds the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam crown to his storied resume.
He won’t be resting on his laurels. Alongside many of his Vegas opponents, Aronian is headed straight to the 2025 Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia. “If you play well, you’re full of energy,” he said, already looking forward.
As for Niemann, Carlsen, Nakamura, and the rest of the elite pack, they now regroup and prepare for the final leg in Cape Town, where the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam champion will ultimately be crowned.
But in Las Vegas, Levon Aronian was king, once again.
I’m Xuan Binh, the founder of Attacking Chess, and the Deputy Head of Communications at the Vietnam Chess Federation (VCF). My chess.com and lichess rating is above 2300, in both blitz and bullet. Follow me on Twitter (X).
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