Keymer’s Triumph, Chess meets Esports, Improvement Tips & more
7th week of chess
This week’s newsletter brings you:
Vincent Keymer’s Greatest Triumph
Hans Niemann Joins the Freestyle Grand Slam
Chess Joins the Esports Revolution
Women’s Grand Prix 2024-25
Recommendation for Chess improvement
Chess Creators and Content: Emily Higgins
Most Hilarious Video of the Week
📰 Chess News & Stories
#1. Vincent Keymer’s Greatest Triumph
Vincent Keymer has made history! The 20-year-old German grandmaster stunned the chess world by winning the Freestyle Weissenhaus Grand Slam, defeating none other than Magnus Carlsen in the semi-finals. Calling it "the greatest success of my career," Keymer proved that hard work and calculated risks pay off. With a sharp and strategic style, he secured the $200,000 first prize, while Carlsen earned $100,000 after defeating Javokhir Sindarov for third place.
*Keymer with his coach and commentator Peter Leko. | Photo: Freestyle Chess/Lennart Ootes.
Keymer, once a piano prodigy, now fully dedicates himself to chess. Though he no longer plays the piano, he still finds comfort in music during tournaments. Unlike many of his contemporaries who turned professional in their early teens, Keymer balanced academics and chess, passing all his school exams with good grades. His approach to the game combines classical strategy with modern precision, always seeking the best opportunity to push for a full point. Now, with this major victory, his career is reaching new heights!
#2. Hans Niemann Joins the Freestyle Grand Slam
The chess world loves drama, and the next chapter is set in Paris! Hans Niemann has received a wildcard entry for the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam, setting up a likely showdown with Carlsen.
The decision was made by Jan Henric Buettner, a key figure behind the Freestyle Chess project. Buettner, who has close ties with Carlsen, didn’t consult the world number one before inviting Niemann.
Magnus has no say in which players to invite. He chose the first players last year. During the event, there are players he is more or less comfortable with. That's why I decided not to ask him for permission. —Jan Henric Buettner, CEO of Freestyle Chess
Carlsen’s reaction? A cryptic "No. But we’ll see." One thing is certain—Paris is going to be explosive!
#3. Chess Joins the Esports Revolution
Chess is going digital in a big way! Some of the biggest names in the game have signed with esports organizations ahead of the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC), bringing chess into the competitive gaming spotlight.
Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana have joined Team Liquid.
Hikaru Nakamura is now part of Team Falcons (Winners of 2024).
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has signed with Team Vitality.
Ding Liren has partnered with Chinese esports team, LGD Gaming.
Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Oleksandr Bortnyk are now with NAVI.
Ian Nepomniachtchi has joined Aurora Gaming.
Wei Yi has been signed by a Chinese esports team, Weibo.
With chess integrating into the esports world, fans can expect an entirely new level of excitement. The 2025 EWC promises high-stakes games, fresh rivalries, and a new era for chess as a global competitive sport.
#4. Women’s Grand Prix 2024-25
The Women’s Grand Prix is heating up! The third leg of the 2024-25 series takes place in Monaco from February 17 to 28, with 10 top players battling for crucial points. The Grand Prix consists of six events, with each player competing in three. The two highest scorers will qualify for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament.
Key players in Monaco include:
Aleksandra Goryachkina
Kateryna Lagno
Bibisara Assaubayeva
Harika Dronavalli
Humpy Koneru
Tan Zhongyi
Alexandra Kosteniuk
With an €80,000 prize fund per event and an additional €120,000 for the top 10 players overall, the stakes are high. Who will rise to the challenge and take one step closer to the Candidates?
🎯 Chess Improvement and Tips
Problem:
Many chess players struggle to understand the key differences in thinking between different title levels. Why do stronger players make certain moves instinctively while others hesitate?
Recommendation:
To get a clear insight into this, check out this post-game analysis where an IM and an NM break down their thought processes move by move, during the game. This video , on Zurability (Youtube), will help you recognize how titled players approach decisions differently and what you can learn from their thinking patterns.
Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, these techniques will help you.
📹 Chess Creators & Content
New YouTube Channel: “Emily Higgins”
I’ve found a new youtube channel, Emily Higgins. She makes chess improvement videos on YouTube, sharing valuable insights to help players sharpen their skills. As of today, she has 3.5K subscribers, and her content is growing in popularity. Emily also streams on Twitch.
Her latest video offers 4 Positional Chess Concepts to Win More Games, making it a great resource for players aiming to improve. If you enjoy high-quality chess content with clear explanations, be sure to give her a watch!
😂 Most Hilarious Video of the Week
On Youtube, by Jabba.
That’s all for this week. Thank you.
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