Vincent Keymer has clinched the title at the grenke Freestyle Chess Open, held in Karlsruhe. A swift draw against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the final ninth round was enough for Keymer to secure the overall win and, crucially, a spot in the 2027 Freestyle Chess World Championship. Both Keymer and Vachier-Lagrave finished with an impressive 7½ points, but Keymer’s superior tiebreak score earned him the top spot. A group of seven players, including chess legend Magnus Carlsen, ended just half a point behind with 7/9, with Carlsen ultimately securing third place on tiebreaks.

