Chess · International
Carlsen wins the first FIDE Freestyle world championship
A 2.5–1.5 final victory secured the official title in Weissenhaus.
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Magnus Carlsen won the 2026 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship by defeating Fabiano Caruana 2.5–1.5 in the final. A fourth-game draw completed the match in Weissenhaus, Germany, on 15 February.
Carlsen’s victory in game three gave him the lead before the decisive final encounter. Both finalists qualified for the 2027 championship. Nodirbek Abdusattorov secured third place against Vincent Keymer and earned the remaining qualification place awarded to the top three.
The event, held from 13 to 15 February, was the first official FIDE-recognised Freestyle world championship. Its total prize fund was $300,000, including $100,000 for the winner. Bibisara Assaubayeva won the accompanying women’s exhibition against Alexandra Kosteniuk. The completed championship is a new stage beyond the previously reported agreement and qualification process.
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