Levon Aronian wins Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in South Africa

Levon Aronian won the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam tournament in Grootbos, South Africa, on Thursday. The grandmaster from the USA defeated Magnus Carlsen (Norway) 1.5–0.5 in the Grand Final, winning the first game and securing the title with a draw in the second.

Aronian earned the $200,000 winner’s prize and completed four days without a single loss. Carlsen, who had already secured the overall Grand Slam Tour title earlier in the week, took second place.

Vincent Keymer claimed third place after defeating Javokhir Sindarov 2–0. In the first game Keymer broke through with a tactical sequence, and he converted the second as well, sealing a strong finish to his South Africa run. Sindarov ends the event in fourth place.

Fabiano Caruana secured fifth place with a 1.5–0.5 victory over Arjun Erigaisi. In the match for seventh place, Hans Niemann completed a comeback by beating Parham Maghsoodloo in the tiebreaks.

With all matches concluded, the 2025 Freestyle Chess Grand Slam season is officially complete.