How room full of GMs put an end to FIDE vs Freestyle Chess row
Viswanathan Anand's withdrawal from the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Germany dealt a major blow to hopes of reconciliation between FIDE and Freestyle Chess. Tensions escalated after a dress code dispute involving Magnus Carlsen, with Anand enforcing FIDE rules. Despite backchannel talks, Freestyle players ultimately chose to crown their own “Freestyle Chess Champion,” sidelining FIDE’s authority.