Chess: 'My wife is way more attracted to me now' — Magnus Carlsen after record rating in freestyle

Friday - 20/06/2025 03:49

Magnus Carlsen, the chess maestro, has shattered barriers by exceeding a 2900 rating in freestyle chess, a milestone previously unattained in classical chess. This achievement, based on Freestyle Chess organization ratings, marks a new high for Carlsen, surpassing his peak classical rating. Among Indian players, Praggnanandhaa shines at fourth place, followed by other notable players like Arjun Erigaisi and Gukesh.

Magnus Carlsen Breaks 2900 Barrier in Freestyle Chess, Claims Wife is "Way More Attracted"

Magnus Carlsen with his wife Ella after achieving freestyle chess milestone

Magnus Carlsen and his wife Ella Victoria (Image via Instagram/Magnus Carlsen)

Magnus Carlsen has achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing the 2900 rating mark in freestyle chess. This achievement eluded him for years in classical chess, making it a significant moment in his career. He is the first chess player ever to reach this landmark.

Carlsen, a five-time world chess champion and the world number one for nearly 15 years, previously reached a peak of 2882 in classical chess in May 2014.

The new freestyle chess ratings, released on Thursday, are compiled by the Freestyle Chess organization, separate from FIDE, the global chess governing body.

"My wife (Ella Victoria) is way more attracted to me now that I've achieved 2900," Carlsen quipped to Freestyle Chess, upon learning of his new rating.

The freestyle ratings were calculated based on performances in five tournaments: Weissenhaus 2024, Singapore 2024, Weissenhaus 2025, Paris 2025, and Karlsruhe 2025. The list includes 578 players who have participated in at least one freestyle chess event in the past two years.

Indian Chess Players in the Freestyle Rankings

Praggnanandhaa leads the Indian contingent, securing fourth place with 2773 points. He trails Carlsen (2909), Hikaru Nakamura (2818), and Fabiano Caruana (2804).

Other notable Indian players in the rankings include:

Arjun Erigaisi (8th place, 2758 points)
Vidit Santosh Gujarathi (18th place, 2713 points)
Aravindh Chithambaram VR (22nd place, 2707 points)
Gukesh (26th place, 2701 points)

Gukesh's relatively lower ranking can be attributed to his recent struggles in freestyle chess tournaments.

Carlsen has demonstrated exceptional prowess in this format, achieving a perfect score of nine wins in nine games at the Grenke Freestyle Open. His freestyle ELO rating of 2909 exceeds his classical chess rating by 72 points.

Carlsen previously neared the 2900 mark in classical chess back in 2019. During that same period, he achieved another record by playing 125 classical games without a single defeat between July 2018 and October 2020.

"I have given up a bit on trying to reach 2900. It will just be very, very difficult," Carlsen confessed on the Norwegian podcast Sjakksnakk in 2023.