Las Vegas Freestyle will take place July 16–20, 2025, at the Wynn Las Vegas, specifically in the 50,000-square-foot Lafite Ballroom. It’s the third leg of the 2025 tour – after Paris Freestyle and Grenke Freestyle – and the first Freestyle Chess event in the U.S. open to live spectators. It features 16 top grandmasters in a five-day event with a group stage (round-robin, 10+10 time control) followed by a double-elimination knockout (30+30 for key stages). Follow the Las Vegas Freestyle Chess live here
Confused about the format? So are many of the chess fans. But with a flow chart it all makes sense and Las Vegas Freestyle Chess 2025 is going to be an exciting event from the start to the end.
Las Vegas day 1 round robin
White group live with 8 players, seven rounds RR, and 10+10 time control
Black group live with 8 players, seven rounds RR, and 10+10 time control
Top 4 progress to Quarter Finals, 5th to 8th go to Lower Quarter Finals
Las Vegas day 2 quarter finals
Quarter finals live with 8 players, 4 matches, 2 games each with 30 + 30 time control
Lower Quarter finals live with 8 players, 4 matches, 2 games each with 30 + 30 time control
4 players progress from the Quarter Finals to the Semi Finals. 5th to 8th go to Intermediate Red
4 players progress from the Lower Quarter Finals to Intermediate Red. 5th to 8th finish shared 13th
Las Vegas day 3 Semi Finals and Intermediate Red
Semi Finals live with 4 players, 2 matches, 2 games each with 30 + 30 time control
Intermediate Red live with 8 players, 4 matches, 2 games each with 30 + 30 time control
2 players from the Semi Finals progress to the Grand Final (similar to TCEC Superfinal). The other two players go to Lower Semi Finals.
4 players from the Intermediate Red progress to Intermediate Green. The other 4 finish shared 9th.
Las Vegas day 4 Intermediate Green and Lower Semi Finals
Intermediate Green live with 4 players, 2 matches, 2 games each with 10 + 10 time control
Lower Semi Finals live with 4 players, 2 matches, 2 games each with 10 + 10 time control
2 players from the Intermediate Green progress to the Lower Semi Finals. Two will play a 7th place match on day 5
2 players from the Lower Semi Finals will play for the 3rd place on day 5. 2 players will play for the 5th place
Las Vegas day 5 Finals
Las Vegas Freestyle Chess Live finals with 2 players, 2 games and 30+30 or 10+10 time control
Thanks to wise_tamarin on Reddit, we can visualize the format and the regulations. Click on the image for the full size view.
Visit the original post by wise_tamarin here
The organizers say, “The format guarantees that every match has consequences – win and move forward, lose twice and you’re out. It’s a structure that intensifies the competition and rewards consistency under pressure.”
